Experts urge public to prioritise skin protection when in the sun over summer
Dermatologist Dr Barbara van der Westhuizen said that people needed to learn sun safety tips to reduce their risks of developing skin cancer.
Photo: Pixabay/Hans
JOHANNESBURG - South Africa’s second-largest hospital said it receives roughly 1,000 skin cancer patients annually.
December marks Skin Cancer Awareness Month.
Skin experts at Tygerberg Hospital are appealing to the public to prioritise skin protection this summer.
Dermatologist Dr Barbara van der Westhuizen said that people needed to learn sun safety tips to reduce their risks of developing skin cancer.
"We see an increasing volume of skin cancers every single year, and unfortunately most of these are due to excessive sun exposure. Skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, as well as in South Africa."
She emphasised that skin cancer can affect individuals of any skin complexion.
"We would like to remind the South African public that it is not only light-skinned individuals who are at risk of developing skin cancer, but that everyone that is exposing themself to the sun, unfortunately, is at risk. That is why we want urge everyone to enjoy the sun responsibly this holiday."