It may be the tail-end of summer but people are still heading to the beach to cool off from the scorching heat, so the Malta Medical Students Association yesterday made sure beachgoers at Għadira were aware of the risks of prolonged sun exposure.

The association’s Reach On A Beach campaign aimed to deal with the health-related issues triggered off by excessive sun exposure and smoking.

Students went around the beach asking people what they knew about melanoma, and gave advice and leaflets on how to recognise possible signs of skin cancer.

Smokers were also asked a series of questions to gauge how dependent they were on cigarettes, while also being given non-patronising advice on how to quit.

Association national public health officer Eleanor Borg said the outreach approach was the most effective to get the message across.

She added that, while everyone had generally shown an interest, tourists were more curious about the initiative.

The students said several people seemed knowledgeable about melanoma, and the best way to prevent it. However, when it came to actually putting on sun block, wearing a hat and sunglasses, and avoiding the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., people were less so. They said elderly people tended to have a “there’s nothing I can do now” attitude.

The association thanked the Health Promotion Department, the Mellieħa local council and the Malta Tourism Authority. Another event will be held on September 25 as part of World Heart Day.