Sports days are held in the dangerous season of the year to be outdoors, and school breaks are at the worst time of day, says Department of Dermatology and Venereology chairman Lawrence Scerri. He tells Stephanie Fsadni that more people in Malta get sunburnt in spring than in summer, when we tend to be less cautious of the risk to our skin.
Some of you might have already had their first dip in the sea or been sunbathing to get tanned before wearing that white summer dress. But beware that the sun’s rays these days are as harmful as at the peak of summer and each episode of sunburn leaves its mark.
Each sunburn is imprinted in our biological make-up,
in our DNA
“More people get sunburnt in spring than in summer,” says Lawrence Scerri, chairman of the Department of Dermatology and Venereology at Boffa Hospital. “They tend to be less cautious because they think that the sun is not yet that strong.”
When eating out at this time of year, people often opt for outdoor seating and choose a table in the sun instead of the shade. Likewise, at the beach, one might think it is safe enough not to hire an umbrella and not to wear protective clothing or apply sunscreen.
When the UV index gets higher than 7 (this week it reached the 9 mark), it means the sun’s rays are damaging and one needs to take the necessary sun protection measures.
“Living in a sunny climate is a greater disadvantage,” says Dr Scerri. “It means that ultraviolet rays are harmful for practically half the year.”
Sunburn is not only uncomfortable and looks ugly due to blisters and the peeling away of skin, but episodes of it are “the single most important cause of melanoma”.
“Each sunburn is imprinted in our biological make-up, in our DNA,” explains Dr Scerri. “Episodes of sunburn in childhood and adolescence are strongly linked with the subsequent development of melanoma. The damage done is irreversible.”
Dr Scerri says children are more vulnerable to sunburn and, obviously enough, do not realise its implications: “This puts more responsibility on their parents and carers. There is also greater room for improvement at schools.”
Dr Scerri refers to sports days that are usually held in May and April, and school breaks, which are held at the worst time of the day.
“The Education Department should regulate this and, also, perhaps shift the breaks,” Dr Scerri suggests.
Individuals with outdoor occupations are also at an increased risk. This includes construction workers, tourist guides, farmers, postmen and salespeople.
The latter may spend their working days running around in their company car, but this does not mean they are shielded from the sun because car windows do not filter UV rays.
“Employers are responsible for employee safety and they should provide the appropriate clothing and supplies of sunscreen,” claims Dr Scerri.
He admits that he is witnessing more awareness on the employers’ part, but more needs to be done as regards this issue.
Melanoma is by far the most common skin disease-related cause of death worldwide.
A total of 617 cases (270 males and 347 females) of invasive malignant melanoma was diagnosed in Malta from 1993 to 2011, with a resultant 107 deaths (57 males and 50 females) or a 17.3 per cent mortality rate.
It can be inferred from these figures that one in six persons with melanoma is being diagnosed too late.
Dr Scerri maintains that despite all the awareness and educational campaigns, “there is still a gap between knowledge and appropriate behaviour”.
He puts the blame on the pervading “suntan culture”.
“Younger generations may suffer from peer pressure, while men unfortunately may still think it is not macho enough to slap on the sunscreen.”