Rachael Andrade, R.N., education officer with The Bermuda TB Cancer and Health Association, believes that knowledge is power and enjoys her role of teaching others about protecting ourselves from the dangers of too much sun.

Mrs. Andrade said: “There is no such thing as a healthy tan! I strongly recommend the ‘Slip, Slap and Slop’ theory and I teach this to young school children. It means:

“Slip on a shirt, wear protective clothing when out in the sun of tightly woven fabrics that you can’t see through when held up to the light.

“Slap on a hat, have fun choosing one and make sure it protects your face and the back of your neck.

“Slop on a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher, apply every day and re-apply after swimming and try and find shade if you must be out in the midday sun.”

Mrs. Andrade said that skin cancer, the abnormal growth of skin cells, is by far the most common form of cancer diagnosed today. There are three major types of skin cancer; basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma — and all are on the rise.

“Fair-skinned people are at greatest risk, but anyone can develop skin cancer, including black/olive-skinned people, which is most commonly caused by over exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.”

In addition to ‘slip, slap, slop’, sunglasses act as sunscreen for the eyes, providing that they have 100 percent UV protection.

Water, wind and heat reduce skin moisture reserves and leaves it dehydrated and vulnerable. According to Mrs. Andrade, it is important to be aware of our environment. She says that heat is a catalyst between ultra violet rays and the skin, promoting damage. Damp skin from swimming or humidity is likely to burn more quickly.

Wind affects our skin too as it reduces the skin’s moisture reserves leaving it dehydrated and very vulnerable to damage.

Reflective surfaces such as rippling water, white sand, white-washed concrete patios and porches all reflect solar rays back to the body. It is estimated that we are exposed to about 70 percent of ultraviolet rays while under a beach umbrella because of the scattering effect from the sun, sea and sky.

“The good news is that most skin cancers are preventable by limiting or avoiding exposure to UV radiation, and by detecting changes in your skin at an early stage. If caught early, most skin cancers are highly treatable. Left undetected or untreated, skin cancer can be damaging — in fact, deadly,” said Mrs. Andrade.

A change on the skin is the most common warning sign of skin cancer and may appear as a small growth or as a sore that bleeds, crusts over, heals and then reopens. The first sign of melanoma may be a change in an existing mole of the development of a new, suspicious-looking mole.

Skin cancer develops mainly on areas of skin exposed to a lot of sun such as the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, and on the legs in women.

Mrs. Andrade said that skin cancer can also develop on unexposed areas, such as the palms, the spaces between toes and the genital area. A cancerous skin lesion can appear suddenly, or it can develop slowly.

“If you notice any suspicious change in your skin, consult your doctor right away. As with most cancers, early detection increases the chances of successful treatment. Don’t wait for the area to start hurting — skin cancer seldom causes pain. Pre-cancerous skin lesions, such as actinic keratosis, also can develop into skin cancer. These skin growths appear as rough, scaly, drown-to-dark-pink patches and are most commonly found on the face, lower arms and hands of fair-skinned people whose skin has been sun damaged,” explained Mrs. Andrade.

A suntan is a warning! It tells you that your skin has been burned. Many people feel positive with a tanned glow but you may end up with wrinkles, age spots and skin cancer without taking preventative measures. Certain factors increase your risk of skin cancer. If you are fair skinned that means you have less pigment (melanin) in your skin and less protection from damaging UF radiation from the sun or from tanning beds. If you have blonde or red hair, light-coloured eyes, and you freckle or sunburn easily that makes you 20 to 30 times more likely to develop skin cancer than a person with darker features.

“Sunburn is your body’s attempt to protect itself from the sun’s damaging rays. Every time you sunburn your skin, you increase your risk of developing skin cancer. People who have one or more severe, blistering sunburns as a child or teenager are at increased risk of skin cancer as an adult.

Sunburns in adulthood also are a risk factor,” advised Mrs. Andrade.

Sun stroke is another serious foe associated with warm climates and people should take care not to over extend themselves. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headaches, weakness and fainting.

“Our bodies are two thirds water. If you are thirsty you are already dehydrated. You should drink eight, eight ounce glasses of water each day. Cool water is absorbed quickly into the body. It is best to stay away from alcohol,” said Mrs. Andrade.

You should be aware that some drugs may cause photosensitivity and the following drugs may cause hyperpigmentation, dermatitis or make you more sensitive to laser treatment. A few of these include acne medications such as Retin-A and antihistamines such as Periactin, Benadryl and Claritin, antidepressants, anticancer drugs, and a host of others.

Hailing from Scotland, Mrs. Andrade is also qualified as a mid-wife. She was educated at the Perth Royal Infirmary at the University of New Brunswick, Canada where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. Currently she is working on her Master’s Degree in Health Studies. She spent the last decade at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital where she worked as a nurse.

“Health education is a vital aspect of health care in general. My role allows me to effect change and I enjoy talking to school children. I also work in the corporate business sector helping others to take preventative measures.

When you protect your skin, you may be saving your life,” concluded Mrs. Andrade.

'No such thing as a healthy tan'