As " we are not sausages", the League against cancer is launching a prevention campaign on June 16 calling not to " grill "her skin in the sun this summer, knowing that eight out of ten skin cancers are due to ultraviolet rays." Grilling in the sun causes 80,000 skin cancers and 2,000 deaths per year. We're not sausages.", underlines the League against cancer, recalling that skin cancers are among the " 40% of preventable cancers because a change in behavior would limit their incidence“.
Each year in France, between 141,200 and 243,500 skin cancers are diagnosed, including 112,960 to 194,800 caused by excessive exposure to UV rays, according to Public Health France. The number of melanomas (the most aggressive skin cancers) has quadrupled since 1990. This increase is explained by " partly due to the aging of the population, but also due to the increase in risky practices, such as more frequent sun exposure or the fashion for artificial tanning", like UV cabins, notes the League in a press release.
For " to make an impression", the organization is banking on " a surprising slogan " for its campaign, adapted into an animated film and broadcast in pharmacies from June 16 to 30. " Under the sun or the clouds, we protect ourselves", urges the League.
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“ Avoid tanning booths“
It is advisable to avoid exposure between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. in mainland France or between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. overseas, to wear tightly woven or UV-treated clothing, sunglasses with a CE3 or CE4 standard and a wide-brimmed hat, to apply sunscreen with a high protection factor, 20 minutes before exposure, every two hours and after each swim, even in cloudy weather.
The French are also called to " avoid tanning booths", which overexpose to UV rays known to be carcinogenic without artificial tanning protecting the skin from the sun.
As social inequalities can penalize prevention, the League against cancer is also deploying actions towards " the most vulnerable". Sunscreen products will be distributed free of charge in Côtes-d'Armor to people in need, in association with Les Restos du Coeur, or on three beaches in La Rochelle via distributors. Awareness-raising activities are also aimed at travellers, residents of a priority neighbourhood, young people from leisure centres or football clubs.
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