Enjoy summer by being safe in the sun this December, January and February advises the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA). Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in South Africa and is the result of skin cell damage, which begins in the lower part of the epidermis (the top layer of the skin). Read more:

2. What is skin cancer?
• Skin cancer is the result of
skin cell damage
• It begins in the lower part
of the epidermis (the top
layer of the skin)

4. Warning Signs for skin cancer - ABCDE
• A-symmetry – a mole or mark with one half
unlike the other (not symmetrical).
Common moles are round and symmetrical
• Border irregularities – scalloped/poorly
defined edges. Common moles are smooth
and have even borders
• Colour changes – tan, black, brown, red,
white, blue. Common moles are usually a
single shade of brown or black
• Diameter – larger than 6mm
• Evolve – grows bigger and becomes more
prominent

5. Types of skin cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC):
1 in 30* for males & 1 in 62* for females
• This is the most common form of
skin cancer
• BCC starts in the top layers of skin
which is regularly exposed to
sunlight, i.e. top of the head or scalp
Malignant Melanoma (MM):
1 in 227* for males & 1 in 342* for females
• MM currently accounts for
approximately 1% of all cancer deaths
• SA has one of the highest incidences
of MM in the world
• MM may occur amongst all ethnic
and racial groups
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC):
1 in 63* for males & 1 in 152* for females
• This is the second most common skin cancer
• If detected early, SCC is curable in 95% of cases
• It occurs primarily in fair-skinned, middle aged and
elderly people who have had long-term sun
exposure
SA Statistics as per * National Cancer Registry (NCR) 2007

6. Risk Factors

7. Risk Factors

8. Risk Factors

9. How to reduce the risk of skin cancer
• Avoid direct sunlight between 10am and 3pm. Stay in the shade
or under an umbrella as much as possible
• Babies and toddlers should be kept out of the sun altogether
• Wear protective clothing: thickly-woven fabric hats with wide
brims, UV protective clothes/swimsuits
• Wear sunglasses with a UV protection
rating of UV400
• Apply sunscreen regularly
(SPF 20-50) according to
skin type
• Avoid sunbeds and
sunlamps

10. CANSA’s view on sun beds…
• Sunbeds emit UVA and UVB – both cause
damage in the DNA of skin cells
• Sunbeds deliver concentrated UVA
radiation to unprotected skin and should
be avoided
• It ages skin more rapidly while increasing
your risk for skin cancer
• CANSA has requested the Minister of
Health to ban the use of sunbeds by
youth under the age of 18

11. How to reduce the risk of skin cancer
Spot the spot:
• Check your skin carefully every month
• Follow the ABCDE rules
• Ask a family member or friend to
examine your back and the top of your
head
• If you notice any warning signs – see a
doctor or dermatologist immediately

12. How to reduce the risk
of skin cancer
Screening:
• Cutting edge screening
technology for skin cancer
(FotoFinder)
• Screening tests are available at
most CANSA Care Centres and
Mobile Health Clinics
countrywide

13. What is SPF?
• The Sun Protection Factor
(SPF) listed on a container of
sunscreen is a measure of how
well it protects your skin
against UV rays
• It indicates how long you could
spend in the sun before
burning when protected by
sunscreen, compared to when
you have no sunscreen on

14. How does SPF work?
• If it takes 3-4 minutes for your
unprotected skin to start turning
red, using a SPF 30 sunscreen
theoretically prevents reddening
30 times longer (1½ to 2 hours on
average)

15. Which sunscreen and SPF should be used?
• Use sunscreen with SPF 20-50
• Preferably 30-50 for fair to
very fair skin
• Apply generously every 2-3
hours
• Use sunscreen that bears the
CANSA Seal of Recognition
• Sunscreens usually have an
expiry date of 2 years,
however do not use after 1
year once opened

16. What is the CANSA Seal Of Recognition (CSOR)?
• The CSOR appears on approved sunscreen products
• It is a guarantee that the manufacturers of these UV protective
products comply with the strict criteria developed by CANSA

17. CANSA’s UV-Smart
Armbands
• Monitor the UV radiation you and
your family are exposed to all
year round with a CANSA UV-Smart
Armband
• It turns darker in colour as UV-radiation
intensifies
• Each shade of colour gives
protection recommendations you
can follow in order to prevent
sunburn

18. CANSA’s UV-Smart Armbands
• The UV-Smart Armbands
sell for R30 each and are
available in blue, pink and
purple in adult and children
sizes
• Buy your UV-Smart
Armband directly
from CANSA Care Centres
nation wide or call toll-free
0800 22 66 22

19. Which UV apparel (clothing) and hats
should be used?
• The Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) is
a scale developed to rate protection
provided by fabrics against Solar
Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR)
• UPF is directly comparable to SPF for
sunscreens – a garment rated UPF 30 will
protect the skin 30 times longer – if it
takes 3-4 minutes for your unprotected
skin to start turning red, using a UPF 30
garment theoretically prevents reddening
30 times longer (1½ to 2 hours on average)
• Unless otherwise stated, UPF rating applies
to fabric when it is dry and new

20. Which UV apparel (clothing) and hats
should be used?
• Wear thickly-woven fabric hats with
broad brims
• Avoid caps and hats that leave the
neck and ears exposed
• Look out for the CSOR
Click to watch the CANSA
SunSmart advert

21. Thank You!

22. Disclaimer:
Whilst the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) has taken every precaution in
compiling this presentation, neither it, nor any contributor(s) to this presentation can be
held responsible for any action (or the lack thereof) taken by any person or organisation
wherever they shall be based, as a result, direct or otherwise, of information contained in,
or accessed through, this presentation.