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THE IRISH CANCER Society has called for suncream to be made more affordable in Ireland, as a skin cancer survivor highlighted the difficult treatment she underwent.
According to research from the Irish Cancer Society, seven in 10 people say suncream is too expensive, and one in 10 say they do not wear it because they can’t afford it.
Deirdre Bonass, a single mother of six, is currently recovering from treatment for basal cell carcinoma skin cancer.
She said that as she was undergoing treatment in the form of chemotherapy cream, she suffered from blisters and spots on her face, as well as a burning sensation she likened to “rubbing a hot iron over your face”.
“The doctor gave me a leaflet showing the stages of the treatment and the impact it will have on my skin – I showed this to family and friends so that they would also be prepared, but nothing could really prepare us for how bad it would get.
“I am so thankful that there was a treatment available to me and that the effects on my skin were temporary. My skin is now almost back to normal and although the treatment was severe, it was a lifeline to me.”
Skin cancer is Ireland’s most common cancer with around 13,000 people diagnosed every year. The National Cancer Registry of Ireland expects this number to double by 2040.
Deirdre says she believes Irish people don’t take enough precautions to protect their skin.
Deirdre is calling on people to protect their skin and mitigate the risks of skin cancer: “I was diagnosed with skin cancer because of my exposure to the sun.
“Skin cancer can be prevented and my message is that treatment is not easy.
That’s why I want to tell my story, not to scare people, but to show people the reality of living with skin cancer, the treatment and recovery process, and to encourage people to get ahead of cancer and take every precaution in the sun this summer.”
She added that, as a single mother to six children, she felt the cost of suncream was a barrier to families protecting themselves from the sun.
“Suncream can be expensive, particularly if you are trying to keep the kids safe in the sun.
“I know I have used suncream sparingly in the past because you’re trying to stretch out how long a bottle lasts. If we want people to protect their skin, we have to make it more affordable.”
Most of Tesco’s range of suncream is over €20 per bottle for non-Clubcard holders.
Boots’ own-brand Soltan range costs up to €13, but the pharmacy chain sells other brands which cost considerably more.
A spokesperson for the Irish Cancer Society told The Journal: “We don’t want protecting your skin and reducing your risk of skin cancer to be a privilege for those who can afford it.
The cost-of-living crisis has seen people’s disposable income in real terms fall drastically so we need to look at knocking down barriers that stand in the way of cancer prevention, and the prohibitive cost of suncream is one of those barriers.”
The Irish Cancer Society recommends wearing suncream between April and September, with the average adult needing 35ml to cover their whole body. It is also recommended that sun cream be reapplied every two hours.
Dr Blaithin Moriarty, Consultant Dermatologist at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Associate Professor, UCD School of Medicine, said: “While the majority of skin cancers, when caught at an early stage, are not life threatening, treatment is frequently unpleasant, distressing and disfiguring.
“90% of skin cancers are induced by UV light and are, as such, preventable. Any new spots or blotches, or changes to existing moles which do not settle after a period of weeks should be brought to the attention of a GP.”
Kevin O’Hagan, Cancer Prevention Manager at the Irish Cancer Society, said: “Sun safety is vital and that means protecting your skin, wherever you are, home or abroad.
“From Deirdre’s powerful story, we can see the considerable challenges of going through skin cancer treatment.”
O’Hagan added that in its pre-budget submission, the Irish Cancer Society called for government action to ensure suncream is affordable “to ensure protecting your skin is not out of reach for struggling families in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.
The HSE and the Irish Cancer Society advise the following steps to protect your skin from the sun:
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I had skin cancer in the loop of my ear people need to watch small scab type abrasion I discovered one but took no heed for a while Suddenly I would wake up and find spots of blood in my pillow in the am the scab would fall off but in a few days it would be back . My doctor did a biopsy it turned out to be a type of skin cancer that I have forgotten the name of now which resulted in a few trips to the plastics dept at St James hospital who are a lovely bunch of staff . It was never going to kill me I am told but if left without surgery it would have created a lot of problems in me ear in later life.I am fully cured now thank God I am glad I did not wait around.
@Alan Scott: There are 3 types of skin cancer – basal cell carcinoma, which the lady in the article had. I had it last year – mine was small, so it was surgically removed with no need for further treatment, but without treatment it would keep growing. Another is squamos cell carcinoma – this one spreads to lymph nodes and other organs, so more dangerous, but still very slowly growing. Finally, melanoma, the most agressive and dangerous one.
@Zmeevo Libe: Working outdoors in the 70′s up through the years wearing no sun protection with the knowledge not been as good as it is now is where it would have started mine . Thanks for the information.
I just looked up Boot’s website and there was sun protection creams for under €2. You can get a hat in Pennys for a few euros too; that’s plenty of sun protection for the price of a pint. It’s hard to believe anyone would forgo sun protection on cost grounds.
@Shane Mc Intyre: Yep, value is out there. . 3 bottles of sun lotion in Lidl for under €10.
@Shane Mc Intyre: Stuff is crap. Do some research.
@thesaltyurchin: Well it isn’t. Used Lidl factor 50 on holiday this year. Didn’t even tan. That’s my ‘research ‘.
@IMHO: Likewise. I use the Aldi factor 50 all the time. I buy 3 or 4 four small bottles every year and always keep one in the car. I never burn with it on, so it’s perfect. There, that’s the second case study!!
To the lady who started this cancer story I would like to wish her the very best of health in the future.
We have an odd relationship with the sun and how we’re viewed by others. The number of young women with orange bodies and paint between their fingers is only rising, it is not normal to spray/coat yourself in product that makes you look like you’ve been to Titan for a holiday.
@Osprey: not just young women. Did you see all the oompa loompas that were playing in last Sunday’s all Ireland?
DEALZ have a range of sun creams and sun blocks for €1.50.
I had a melanoma a few years ago and luckily caught it in time. I only got checked what looked to me like a normal mole because I knew someone who died from it at a similar young age to myself. I never sunbathed, I don’t burn too easily but critically I didn’t usually wear sun cream or a hat. It seems like something that happens to other people until it happens to yourself. Prevention is the way to go.
Buy the kids suncream, no vat and exactly the same as the adults one except for maybe extra moisturizer.
I think skin cancer can be avoided if you don’t lie out in the sun.
@Joe Foley: or walk on windy sunny days.
@Joe Foley: but if you lie indoors it’s a mortal sin
Watch the price shoot up now!
I got Lip cancer , my doctor told me it was very unusual in women! It’s known as the Canadian farmers disease! I idi wear factor but never lipstick .
I also live in Spain.
Anyway after a horrific surgery all is well but I never leave the house without wearing Factor under makeup and all my lipsticks have sun factor built in.
As an aside while in Australia I noticed Huge 2 litres bottle of sun cream for about 10 dollars and on the beaches there were free stations with sun protection.
When you see people enjoying sun bath without protection and using UV treatment to look brown, I am not surprised.
No sympathy for people who don’t do the minimum to protect themselves.
The story should also warn against sun beds, the sun is only one problem but wind burn on hot days is another. Factor 50 water proof is best sun cream it should be free on medical card and GP cards at least once a year.
A pal of mine died very young from skin cancer that went to her brain. She left young children behind. If you have any sores that do not heal get it checked.
200ml Lacura Sun Lotion SPF 30 from Aldi should last a normal person for a year. 4.99 Euro at Aldi
@Johannes Baader: People want to buy trendy products so that they look good on their sun lounger. Lidl and Aldi are anathema to some.
Wide brimmed hats may cost a bit but it is a single outlay. The last for ages.
Another dodgy story about made up survey. 7 out of 10 people will agree to almost anything you ask them if you phrase the question right
Black Seed Oil I hear is a very good protectant.
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