La Roche-Posay, skincare expert and partner to more than 25,000 dermatologists worldwide, launch May 2010 Melanoma Awareness Month to address the increasing problem of skin cancer in Ireland with the support of the Department of Health.
Did you know?*
- Ireland has among the highest skin cancer rates in Europe with nearly 8000 cases diagnosed in 2007*
- 90% of all skin cancers are preventable. Virtually all the risk comes from the sun and sun beds**
- Up to 80% of the sun damage we receive is before the age of 20, so protection in children is vital**
- In Ireland, 1 in every 8 men and 1 in every 10 women will develop skin cancer by the age of 74 years**
- 66% of Irish people have a higher risk of developing Skin Cancer because of their skin type **
*National Cancer Registrar**www.cancer.ie/sunsmart
Melanoma Awareness Month is a pan-European initiative to promote the early detection and prevention of skin cancer. In Ireland, La Roche-Posay is driving the month long awareness campaign, alongside the Irish Cancer Society and the Melanoma Trust¹, Dr Patrick Ormond Consultant Dermatologist ², Eccles Private Clinic ³ in association with the Mater Private Hospital³ who are offering free Specialist Diagnostic & Surgical Support³.
It is a nationwide campaign being promoted in Dermatologists rooms, Dermatology departments, GP surgeries and pharmacies encouraging members of the public to get their moles/suspicious legions checked and adopt safe behaviour in the sun.
Melanoma Awareness Month will be launched in the Oak Room of the Lord Mayors Residence on April 28th at 9.30am with Minister Mary Harney announcing the awareness campaign and the departments support to raise awareness to prevent the increasing problem of skin cancer in Ireland.
Research has indicated that Melanoma will continue to rapidly rise in Ireland and we could see a trebling of malignant melanoma rates over the next 30 years* with people being diagnosed at a progressively younger age. These committed parties, together with the backing of the Department of Health, could help to prevent these increased figures.
www.myskincheck.ie is a public health website dedicated to the early screening of skin cancer. It enables each individual to learn more about skin cancer, safety in the sun and to diagnose their personal risk level, self-check moles and mole map. It is a tool to support dermatologists in their effort to educate the wider public.
La Roche-Posay⁴ is urging the Irish public to look out for new lumps, growths or changes to existing moles, and also to be vigilant about monitoring moles in general. All details and pictures for reference are available on www.myskincheck.ie and any observed changes of moles should be discussed with a dermatologist or General Practitioner without delay. These may be the early signs of skin cancer and early detection is vital for successful treatment.
Every year, La Roche-Posay drive May Melanoma Awareness Month in Ireland and together with the support of the Department of Health, Irish Cancer Society and the Melanoma Trust¹, Dr Patrick Ormond Consultant Dermatologist ², Eccles Private Clinic ³ in association with the Mater Private Hospital³ the campaign grows each year to raise awareness and to help prevent increasing cases of skin cancer in Ireland.
- 1. The Sharon Rice O’Beirne Melanoma Trust was set up in memory of Sharon, who on the 2nd of February 2008 lost her brave battle against Melanoma Skin Cancer. The aim of the Trust is to bring about an awareness of this potentially fatal disease and to help fund Irish research in this particular area. Sharon’s great strength and positive attitude throughout her illness has encouraged her family & friends to try and promote awareness of this devastating disease to more people who are potentially at risk.
- 2. Dr Patrick Ormond, MRCPI Consultant Dermatological & Mohs Micrographic Surgeon at St James’ Hospital, Dublin. He set up and runs the only centre for Mohs Micrographic Surgery, the most effective & state-of-the-art procedure for skin cancer in the public health service in Ireland. He also serves as the Chairman of the Skin Cancer Expert Skin group for the National Cancer Control Programme and is President of the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Charity (MASC).
- 3. Eccles Clinic FREE Specialist Diagnostic & Surgical Support of Melanoma Awareness Month
Eccles Clinic in association with the Mater Private Hospital offer FREE Specialist Diagnostic & Surgical Support to May Melanoma Awareness Month.
During the month of May, patients without health insurance who are referred by their GP to Eccles Clinic will be seen by a plastic surgeon for free for diagnosis and treatment where necessary. The idea is to see and treat in one day, where possible. Priority will be given to those travelling from the country.
If the mole is suspicious, they will receive free surgery and the excised mole with will be sent to the pathology department at the Mater Private Hospital, where it will be examined for free. Due to limitations, this is for a limited number of patients during the month of May, subject to appointment availability. The plastic surgeons involved are members of the Irish Association of Plastic Surgeons; this is the highest qualifications of plastic surgery in Ireland, and they are on the specialist division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery section of the Irish Medical Council. For further information on Eccles Clinic: www.ecclesclinic.ie
- 4. La Roche-Posay’s sun protection range, Anthelios, provides unparalleled effectiveness and dermatological tolerance to protect against cell damage caused by UV rays offering the most effective sun protection on the market. New Anthelios XL Fluide Extreme filtering system has been renovated to produce the highest level of UVA protection available of the market. It now has a UVA protection level of PPD38, 10 points higher than the previous formula. La Roche-Posay, the brand of choice of 25,000 dermatologists worldwide, has demonstrated its efficacy of Anthelios XL via 21 clinical studies (4 in vitro and 17 in vivo). The in vivo clinical studies were carried out on patients suffering from sun intolerance reactions, particularly those caused by UVA rays. Anthelios filtering system ensures efficient protection against the entire spectrum of UVB-UVA rays; whatever their intensity.
La Roche-Posay further demonstrates its commitment to sun protection and sun education by donating €1 to the Irish Cancer Society for every purchase of Anthelios Fluid Extreme 50+ in 2010.