Sligo University Hospital providing skin cancer advice at the Ploughing Championships

Experts from the Dermatology Department at Sligo University Hospital will be at the HSE Health and Wellbeing Marquee at the National Ploughing Championships from 17 to 19 September to offer skin cancer information to visitors.
 
Selene Daly, Dermatology Nurse Specialist at Sligo University Hospital said, “The Ploughing Championships is an ideal venue to provide skin cancer information as farmers and others who work outdoors are at a higher risk of skin cancer.  According to the Irish Cancer Society 1 in 4 deaths from skin cancer in Ireland are from those working in the construction or farming industry. There are now over 1,000 deaths from malignant melanoma in Ireland each year and this number is growing.
 
“The good news is that we know the cause - 90% of all skin cancers are directly associated with over-exposure to UV light. Also, skin cancers can be detected early by learning how to examine your skin.
 
“The key skin cancer prevention message for Irish people, who have a fair complexion and are prone to sunburn, is to follow the Irish Cancer’s ‘SunSmart Code’, which is to seek shade between 11am and 3pm, cover up using long sleeve clothing, sunglasses and a wide brim hat and use a high factor sunscreen with SPF 30 or 50.”
 
“Dr Liz Keeling, Dermatology Specialist Registrar at Sligo University Hospital and myself will be present at the HSE Health and Wellness Marquee, Stand 458, Block 3, Row 21 and we look forward to meeting with visitors to provide information and give advice on skin cancer and other skin diseases.”
 
In addition, the Health and Wellbeing marquee will host a series of hourly demonstrations and health events – including how community first-responders help those in emergency, CPR demos, alcohol and parenting chats, health checks and quizzes. Visitors to the HSE stands can avail of an array of free advice and health information regarding HSE campaigns such as START (healthy eating and active living), Quit.ie (quitting smoking), Sepsis, preventing skin cancer, BowelScreen, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Rural Mental Health and Injury Units. Staff from the Injury Unit in Roscommon University Hospital will provide information on their services which can be used by people in County Sligo.