HSE Mid West, UL Team Up for SunSmart Campus Pilot

The University of Limerick (UL) is taking an important step by piloting the HSE SunSmart Campus initiative. This program aims to enhance the well-being of students and staff by promoting sun safety, education and practices on campus.

In partnership with HSE Mid West, the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and Healthy Ireland, the University of Limerick is adopting the SunSmart principles to raise awareness about the dangers of UV exposure and promote lifelong habits that reduce the risk of skin cancer—the most common cancer in Ireland.  

Most people think they don’t need to take care of their skin when in Ireland but with over 11,000 cases diagnosed annually, skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in this country. Although skin cancer rates are more common overall in older people, a disproportionately higher number of people are diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer (the most dangerous form of skin cancer) under the age of 50 compared to all invasive cancers. The good news is skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. We can reduce our risk of skin cancer by protecting our skin from the sun and other sources of ultraviolet radiation, such as sunbeds. Being SunSmart and never using a sunbed, can help reduce your risk of all types of skin cancer, including melanoma.

A SunSmart Campus pilot aligns with the Healthy UL Framework, which aims to integrate health promotion into the everyday culture of campus life.

Sarah Kennedy, Healthy UL Manager, UL says

As a SunSmart Campus, University of Limerick will promote the SunSmart 5 S’s

• Slip on clothing to cover exposed skin.

• Slop on broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin with SPF 30+ for adults and 50+ for children which is water resistant. Reapply regularly

• Slap on a wide-brimmed hat to protect the face, ears, and neck.

• Seek shade when UV rays are at their strongest, especially between 11am and 3pm.

• Slide on UV-protective sunglasses to guard eyes.

Remember, do not deliberately try to get a suntan. Avoid getting a sunburn. Never use a sunbed.

Bernadette Mullins, Senior Health Promotion and Improvement Officer for Cancer Prevention, HSE Mid West says, “We are delighted to support UL to pilot being the first SunSmart Campus in Ireland to help raise awareness of the importance of sun protection for students, staff and visitors to the campus. The pilot will aim to raise awareness of the importance of sun protection while also highlighting the dangers of using sunbeds to help protect the whole campus community from UV and reduce their risk of skin cancer. We can all protect our skin and enjoy the outdoors by following the simple Healthy Ireland SunSmart 5 S’s.”

Maria McEnery, Cancer Prevention Officer, HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme says “Protecting the skin from UV rays from the sun and sunbeds is very important to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. Exposure to UV damage is irreversible, permanent and cumulative with each exposure. Those aged under 35 tend to be less likely to protect themselves against UV rays than those older than this. If we can encourage daily sun protection habits with adolescents and young people, it will greatly reduce the impact of skin cancer in the future.”

For more information email prevention@cancercontrol.ie or visit www.hse.ie/sunsmart.