Sun safety

There are several reasons why you can be more likely to develop skin cancer if you have blood cancer:

• Your immune system can be weakened by blood cancer. This makes it less able to recognise and destroy damaged or infected cells, including skin cancer cells. You can also be more sensitive to the sun, more likely to get sunburn and sun damage, and to develop skin cancer.
• Genetic changes linked with some blood cancers are also linked with a higher risk of skin cancer.
• Some treatments for blood cancer, such as chemotherapy, immunosuppressants and targeted medicines, can make you more likely to get skin cancer.

Ask your haematology team how your blood cancer, and treatments for it, may affect your risk of skin cancer.

Long-term exposure to the sun can cause many different types of skin damage.

You’re probably familiar with the damaging effects of the sun, like sunburn, wrinkles and premature ageing. Long-term exposure to the sun can also cause other types of treatable skin damage, including:

• Actinic keratoses, also known as solar keratoses, which are patches of rough and flaky skin. They are very common. They often don’t cause any trouble, but some people may find them itchy and sore. If untreated there is a small risk that they could develop into a type of skin cancer.
• Bowen’s disease, which causes scaly or crusty patches of skin. These patches can look red, which may be harder to see on black or brown skin. If untreated, it’s more likely to develop into skin cancer than actinic keratoses.

If you notice a dry, scaly or crusty patch of skin that does not heal properly, get it checked by your GP.

There are two main types of skin cancer non-melanoma and melanoma.

• Non-melanoma is the most common and easiest to treat. There are two main types:
  • Basal cell carcinoma, which grows very slowly and very rarely spreads. It’s unlikely to cause serious problems if treated early.
  • Squamous cell carcinoma, which may grow slowly or quickly but may spread if not treated. Most cases are low risk and can be cured. Untreated patches of sun damage may develop into this type of skin cancer.
• Melanoma is also known as malignant melanoma. This is less common but more serious than non-melanoma skin cancer. It’s important to catch this type of skin cancer early.

The British Association of Dermatologists has more information on types of skin cancer.

If you notice skin changes that might be skin cancer, make an appointment with your GP.

Keep to the shade, particularly in the summer months when the sun is at its highest. And between 11am and 3pm when the sun is usually at its strongest.

Remember, you can get sunburn or skin damage:

• When you’re not sunbathing.
• When there’s cloud cover.
• From sunlight reflected off sand, water, concrete and snow, even when you’re in the shade.
• On sunny days outside of the summer months.
• Through windows, if you sit near them for long periods of time. Some UV rays can get through glass.

When abroad, check when the sun is at its strongest by using weather forecasts or a weather app to check the UV index.

Use a high-factor sunscreen to protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.

Sunscreens offer extra protection from the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun, alongside staying in the shade and covering up. There are two main types of UV light: UVA and UVB. They can both cause skin damage, such as sunburn, ageing and skin cancer.

Use an in-date high-protection sunscreen with at least:

• SPF 30 protection against UVB
• 4-star protection against UVA

Apply it generously 20 minutes before leaving the house and re-apply it often, particularly if you’re planning to be outside for a long time. If you’re swimming or sweating a lot, consider using a waterproof sunscreen. And remember to top up your sunscreen after drying yourself with a towel.

The British Association of Dermatologists has more information on using sunscreens, including how long they keep for.

Wear clothes, a hat and sunglasses to protect your skin and eyes from the sun.

Cover your skin with clothes, including a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt and trousers or a long skirt. Baseball caps with a flap that covers the back of your neck and ears also offer good protection.

Most clothes made with close-weave fabric protect you from the sun. You don’t need to buy special clothes with built-in sun protection. The British Association of Dermatologists has more information on sun protection and clothing.

Remember to protect your eyes too, as UV light can cause cataracts and damage to different parts of your eyes. Consider using wrap-around or wide-armed sunglasses that bear the CE mark and meet the British Standard. The Association of British Dispensing Opticians has more information on the importance of wearing sunglasses.

Consider sun protection throughout the year, including protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen.

We often think about protecting our skin from the sun in the summer months. But everyday exposure to daylight throughout the year can increase your risk of skin cancer. Especially if your skin already has signs of sun damage, like sunspots.

Consider using sunscreen every day on exposed parts of your skin like your face, neck, and arms.

Remember your ears and your scalp too, particularly if your hair is thinning on top. Consider protecting your scalp by wearing a hat all year round.

Taking a form of vitamin B3 called nicotinamide may reduce your risk of some skin cancers.

There is evidence from a large Australian study that taking 500mg of nicotinamide twice a day may reduce sun damage and prevent the development of non-melanoma skin cancers.

If you take nicotinamide, it’s a good idea to:

• Continue to follow other sun safety steps, like seeking the shade and covering up.
• Limit your alcohol intake to no more than 14 units a week. Too much alcohol while taking nicotinamide increases your risk of side effects, such as liver inflammation.

Check with your haematology team or pharmacist before taking nicotinamide. It can interact with some medicines, like blood thinners, and with supplements that contain niacin.

It’s best to avoid using tanning beds or sunlamps because they can damage your skin.

Tanning beds and sunlamps use UV radiation to tan your skin. Unfortunately, they also raise your risk of sunburn, prematurely aged skin and skin cancer.

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