Latest news with #NationalSkinCancerPreventionPlan
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Over 11,000 people diagnosed with skin cancer in Ireland every year – calls for free sunscreen in all schools and public buildings
Over 11,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer in Ireland every year and projections from the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2023-2026 has predicted that cases of melanoma will double by 2045 particularly among men. In 2022, research conducted on behalf of the Irish Cancer Society found that just a third of Irish people apply sunscreen regularly, and nearly one in seven of us never wear it in Ireland. The issue was debated at a recent full council meeting after Fine Gael councillor Aileen Browne brought forward a motion urging Cork County Council to install free sunscreen dispensers in all Council offices and libraries. The motion also requested Cork County Council to write to the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill seeking dedicated national funding to provide sunscreen dispensers in public buildings across Ireland, including schools and third-level institutions. Cllr Browne said the move is both practical and essential in light of the growing skin cancer crisis in Ireland. 'Over 11,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer in Ireland every year, and tragically, most of those cases are preventable. This motion is about normalising the use of sunscreen, just like we normalised hand sanitiser during Covid. It's a small change that could make a huge difference.' Ms Browne cited alarming projections from the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2023–2026, which forecasts a doubling of melanoma cases by 2045, particularly among men. 'With fair skin being the most common skin type in Ireland, UV protection is more important than ever even on cloudy days. People often assume that sunscreen is only for hot, sunny countries, but in Ireland, UV rays still penetrate through cloud, and they still cause damage. This is not just a seasonal issue, it's a public health issue." The motion also emphasised the cost-effectiveness of prevention, noting that while treating advanced melanoma can cost over €122,000 per case, early prevention costs just a fraction of that. 'We can't afford for more diagnoses or more suffering,' said Cllr Browne. 'This initiative is not only about saving lives, it's also about saving our health service money. Our communities deserve visible, accessible tools to stay safe in the sun. We care about people's health, and we're ready to act. 'This is a simple step we can take right now and I sincerely hope the Minister for Health will join me in making it a national priority,' she added. The motion was seconded by Independent councillor Ben Dalton O'Sullivan who said skin cancer is very prominent and unfortunately cases are on the increase. Fianna Fáil councillor Gearóid Murphy praised the motion for being practical and sensible. 'We live in a country which often has very changeable weather. It would be a good idea to try and roll this out on a national basis.' Fine Gael councillor Kate Lynch emphasised the importance of normalising the use of sunscreen. 'By installing this in schools we are making it part and parcel of a daily routine. We need to normalise kids putting on their own sunscreen. I don't think we realise the seriousness of it until it actually knock on your door and someone is diagnosed with skin cancer. The solution can be fairly simple. Protect ourselves rather than having to deal with the actual cancer itself.' Social Democrats councillor Ann Bambury said: 'Having four young children I know how significant it is to ensure they are fully protected with sunscreen and with our increasing warmer climate all preventative measures should be taken. I would also love to see the removal of VAT from sunscreen as well.' 'I would support the principle of the motion,' said the CEO of Cork County Council Moira Murrell: 'Our first duty of care is to our employees. We do provide sunscreen for staff that work outdoors. Primarily it is a public health initiative. If there is a national scheme and if local authorities are asked to engage in that, we will fully support that public health initiative. We will certainly be in a position to work with any national scheme that is there.'
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Cork council to seek funding for free sunscreen in schools, libraries, and offices
Free sunscreen should be provided at all schools and public buildings to combat the rise of skin cancer and the likelihood it will increase with hotter weather due to climate change. Currently more than 11,000 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed every year and projections suggest that by 2045 they will more than double. On foot of these figures Cork County Council is to write to minister for health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill urging the government to provide sunscreen at all local authority offices, libraries, schools, third-level institutions, etc just like the roll-out of hand sanitisers during covid. The motion was proposed by Fine Gael councillor Aileen Browne, a healthcare worker, who said it would reduce the instances of skin cancer, which is now the most common cancer in Ireland. 'The financial argument is just as compelling. Treating advanced melanoma can cost our health service over €122,000 per case. Compare that to just over €4,000 for early-stage treatment. Prevention doesn't just save lives, it saves resources. It relieves pressure on an already overstretched health system,' Ms Browne said. She added that Irish people are vulnerable to the cancer because of fair skin. She said: And while clouds may block the warmth, they do not block UV rays. Your skin can burn, even when the sun is hidden. 'This motion supports Action Area One of the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan to improve awareness and promote behaviour change. It aligns with the Healthy Ireland framework and the National Cancer Strategy, both of which call for cross-sectoral collaboration to embed preventive measures in everyday life,' Ms Browne added. Social Democrats councillor Ann Bambury, a mother of four young children, said it makes sense in an increasingly warming climate and added that the government should remove VAT from it as sunscreen is currently classified as a cosmetic. Independent councillor Ben Dalton-O'Sullivan said the HSE implemented a pilot sunscreen dispensing system at Fountainstown beach last year and he had asked some of its officials to roll it out to all beaches in Co Cork this summer. He didn't say if they had responded favourably to his request yet. County council chief executive Moira Murrell said she would fully support any such initiative, and the local authority already provides sunscreen to its outdoor workers. The county council is also rolling out the provision of free menstrual products at its offices which will be available to both staff and the public. This is being done following a request from Fianna Fáil councillor Gobnait Moynihan. Her party colleague Gillian Coughlan, who chairs Cork ETB, said she has proposed to it that the same initiative is also undertaken in all schools in the region.
