With the sunny days approaching, it's important to remember how to protect our skin. An increase in skin cancer has been observed over the last few decades in many countries, mainly due to increased exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays and other lifestyle risk factors.

The Fondation contre le Cancer is concerned about the annual increase in the number of skin cancer diagnoses and is setting up campaigns and research aimed at countering this growth.

Given the ageing of the population, a significant increase was expected.  But the increase is more significant than expected.  Around 40% of all cancers discovered today are skin cancers. In 2004, 11,000 cases were recorded in our country. In 2018, there were already 43,745, and if we continue as we are, there will be more than 77,000 by 2030 (an increase predicted by the Fondation Registre du Cancer). In 25 years, the increase is therefore considerable. 

How can we best protect our skin? 

There are a number of steps you can take to protect your skin from sun damage and other risk factors. Here are a few tips to help protect your skin:

1. Limit exposure to the sun: Avoid exposure to the sun during peak hours, generally between 10am and 4pm. Try to stay in the shade when the sun is strongest. If you must be outdoors, wear protective clothing such as wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts and long trousers to cover as much skin as possible.
2. Use sunscreen: Generously apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 to all exposed areas of your skin, even on cloudy days. Reapply every two hours, or after sweating or swimming. Also use a lip balm with sun protection to protect your lips.
3. Avoid artificial tanning booths: Tanning booths also emit harmful UV rays that can damage the skin and increase the risk of skin cancer. Avoid using them.
4. Protect your eyes: Wear sunglasses with UV protection to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, which can cause eye damage such as cataracts and other vision problems.
5. Stay hydrated: Make sure you stay well hydrated by drinking enough water to maintain healthy, well-hydrated skin.
6. Watch for skin changes: Monitor your skin regularly for any suspicious changes, such as the appearance of new spots, moles or skin lesions, or any changes in the size, shape, colour or texture of existing lesions. Consult a healthcare professional (dermatologist) if you notice any worrying changes.
7. Avoid smoking: Smoking can damage the skin and increase the signs of premature ageing, as well as the risk of skin cancer. Avoid smoking and also avoid exposure to second-hand smoke.
8. Adopt a healthy lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle including a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate stress management and sufficient sleep can help maintain healthy skin.