Cansa warns families to protect children from summer sun

THE Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) is urging families, schools and communities across the country to take extra care in the sun this summer as ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaches dangerous levels. With school holidays in full swing and outdoor activities increasing, children are especially vulnerable to sunburn, long-term skin damage and future skin cancer risk. 

 “Just one blistering sunburn during childhood can more than double a person’s risk of developing melanoma later in life,” says Lorraine Govender, Cansa National Manager: Health Programmes.

“South Africans underestimate how powerful our sun is, even on cloudy, windy or cool days. UV radiation is the danger, not the temperature.”  

Govender stresses that prevention is far better than treatment. “Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. With a few simple protective habits, families can significantly reduce risk.”  

Children receive up to 80% of their lifetime sun exposure before the age of 18. Their skin is thinner, more sensitive and burns far more quickly than adult skin.  

Myths vs facts: what South Africans get wrong about sunscreen

You can’t get sunburned on cloudy, windy or cool days.

Fact: UV rays penetrate cloud cover and can even intensify due to reflection. 

People with darker skin don’t get skin cancer.

Fact: All skin tones can develop skin cancer and cases in darker skin are often detected later. 

Cosmetics with Sun Protection Factor (SPF) are enough.

Fact: Most offer far less protection than needed. 

SPF50 lets you stay in the sun longer.

Fact: SPF is not armour. SPF30 filters ±96.7% of UV; SPF50 filters ±98%. 

If you tan but don’t burn, you don’t need to bother with sun protection. 

Fact: There’s no such thing as a safe tan. If skin darkens, it is a sign of skin cells in trauma, even if there is no redness or peeling. Skin darkens as a way of trying to protect itself because the UV rays are damaging living cells. If you tan easily, you are still at risk of skin cancer and need to use sun protection. 

Sunscreens that carry the CANSA Smart Choice Seal have been verified by approved, independent, testing laboratories and are deemed safe to use and as effective protection against harmful damage caused by the sun.

All CANSA Smart Choice Seal sunscreens offer ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) protection and a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of between 20 and 50.  

How to protect children this Summer

• Let them wear tightly woven clothing, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses labelled UV400. 
• Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 or SPF 50 sunscreen 20–30 minutes before outdoor activity. Reapply every two hours and after swimming. 
• Avoid peak UV hours between 10:00 and 15:00. 

Post the holidays, CANSA advocates for schools to create shaded play areas, and encourage the children to wear hats, UV-protective clothing and sunglasses. Look out for sunscreens, clothing, hats, and summer accessories that bear the CANSA Seal of Recognition. Also, allow learners to bring and apply sunscreen and educate children on UV safety. 

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