Be safe in the sun - even on cloudy days!

Published on: 3 May 2022

This year, Sun Awareness Week is from 2-8 May, although it is important to be aware of the dangers of the sun all year round.

Lake in the sun

Sun Awareness Week is a national campaign run by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) and aims to raise awareness of how to protect ourselves from the harmful radiation from the sun. 

Why is the sunlight harmful?

Sunlight consists of different types of radiation: UVA and UVB radiation.

  • UVA rays stay constant throughout the year, and are associated with skin aging. 
  • UVB rays are at their strongest during the summer months, and are associated with burning your skin (sunburn).

Some treatments for lymphoma, such as chemotherapy and radiation, can make the skin more sensitive to the radiation from the sun, so you need to be more cautious when spending time in the sun.

How can I protect myself from the sun?

  • Generously apply a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Ensure you use a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. The number on the bottle refers to how protective the sunscreen is against UVB rays, and the stars on the bottle refer to the protection against UVA rays.
  • Avoid spending time in direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm. Instead, stay in the shade at this time.
  • Wear sunglasses with a UV light filter to protect your eyes.
  • Wear a hat to protect your head and shoulders. If you lost some of your hair due to your lymphoma treatment, take extra care to wear a hat to protect the skin on your head.

Published: 2 May 2022