With sunny weather forecast for the coming days, health experts are reminding people across Cork that sun protection isn’t just for holidays abroad – the Irish sun can cause serious damage to your skin from April right through to September.
The HSE National Cancer Control Programme and Healthy Ireland have launched their annual SunSmart awareness campaign, highlighting alarming statistics that show skin cancer is now the most common form of cancer in Ireland, with over 11,000 cases diagnosed annually.
Minister of State for Public Health, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor said:
“Being active outdoors is good for our health and wellbeing, but everyone needs to be aware that exposure to the sun can be very harmful if we’re not appropriately protected. I am encouraging everyone to take action to enjoy the sun safely and reduce their risk of skin cancer.”
The figures make sobering reading for anyone planning to spend time outdoors, whether that’s at Inchydoney Beach, enjoying a coffee on Patrick Street, or simply pottering about in the garden. Over 1,200 cases of melanoma – the most serious form of skin cancer – are diagnosed in Ireland every year, with this figure projected to rise to over 3,000 cases annually by 2045.
Dr Breeda Neville, Specialist in Public Health Medicine at the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme explained:
“Melanoma skin cancer is strongly linked to intermittent, high-intensity UV radiation exposure which can occur during outdoor recreational activities like sunbathing or water sports, or if you use a sunbed. The more time you spend unprotected in the sun, the more UV damage your skin is exposed to which increases your risk of skin cancer, including the deadliest form – melanoma.”
The good news is that almost nine in 10 cases of skin cancer could be prevented by following the Healthy Ireland SunSmart 5 S’s. These simple steps include slipping on clothing that covers your skin, slopping on sunscreen with SPF 30+ for adults and 50+ for children, slapping on a wide-brimmed hat, seeking shade, and sliding on wraparound sunglasses.
Health experts stress that sun protection should be used even on cloudy days, as UV rays can penetrate cloud cover and cause damage.
Jacinta O’Brien, patient advocate for the 2025 SunSmart campaign shared her personal experience: “I was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer when I was 38. I’ve had 3 surgeries, targeted treatment, immunotherapy and radiotherapy. When you’re younger you think you’re invincible and you don’t think it’s ever going to be you. You don’t need to have prolonged exposure to the sun to get skin cancer.”
The campaign emphasises three crucial additional points: don’t deliberately try to get a suntan, avoid getting sunburn, and never use a sunbed.
For more information on protecting yourself and your family this summer, visit the SunSmart hub. A detailed report on skin cancer in Ireland is available from the National Cancer Registry.