What can redheads do for Skin Cancer Awareness Month?
Skin Cancer Awareness Month, commemorated in May every year, sets out to remind everyone to prioritise sun safety and skin health.
There are several types of skin cancer, with each one having its distinct characteristics, effects and treatments. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, is estimated that approximately 9,500 people in the US are diagnosed with skin cancer every day.
Notorious for being sunburned and often scared of the sun, how can redheads play an important role in not only reducing their risk of skin cancer, but also promoting skin cancer awareness within their own community?
By taking these proactive steps, redheads can educate others on the danger of UV rays and become prevention advocates.
Learn
Redheads should educate themselves about skin cancer risks, including their own increased susceptibility to sunburn and skin cancer – this is due to redheads often having fair skin, freckles, and lighter eye colours. In order to teach others about the dangers of UV rays, redheads should use their knowledge of these risks to motivate people to take sun protection measures seriously.
Practise
We have all heard the phrase “practise what you preach”, right? Well, that is exactly what redheads should be doing. Redheads should practise sun safety whenever they are outdoors, yes, even during cloudy days, but especially during peak sun hours, mostly between 10am and 4pm.
To remain better protected from the sun, redheads should wear appropriate clothing, wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and seeking shade whenever possible. This will encourage others to do the same! Did you know that sun protection clothing exists?!
Redheads should also brag about using a suncream with SPF 30 or higher.
Check your skin
Redheads should conduct self-checks schedule regular skin cancer screenings with a dermatologist, especially if they have a personal or family history of skin cancer. Detecting signs of cancer early can make a huge impact on treatment outcomes – life-changing, even.
Support skin cancer charities
As someone who is often looked at as a person “most at risk” of skin cancer because of their hair colour, redheads can use the stereotype to their advantage and become role models to those who want to support Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Redheads should try to participate in local events or awareness campaigns that have been organised by charities advocacy groups, healthcare groups, or community leaders.
Some great charities advocating for Skin Cancer Awareness Month include Macmillan, Melanoma UK and Skcin.