Dubai: A new UAE campaign aims to significantly boost awareness about skin cancers that are largely caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Keeping education of the residents in mind, the Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP), one of the foremost cancer charities in the country, and NIVEA Sun Middle East have jointly launched a community initiative called ‘Mole Talk’.
The campaign, being endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Health, urges people to listen to their skin and is designed to raise awareness about skin cancer, its detection and prevention.
Highlighting the incidence of its occurrence, Amerah Bin Karam, President of FOCP, said vigilance is key.
“Skin cancer is the fourth most common cancer among men in the region and the fifth most common among women. Between two and three million non-melanoma skin cancers and 132,000 melanoma skin cancers occur globally each year and those rates are increasing according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). However, by simply following simple protection steps such as applying sun protection cream and avoiding the sun between 10am to 4pm, it is highly preventable.”
Dwelling on the role of sun exposure, she added: “Around 90 per cent of non-melanoma skin cancers and 86 per cent of melanoma cases are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. That’s why everyone, regardless of skin colour, gender or age, should make staying safe in the sun a priority and incorporate sun protection measures into their daily life.”
Both the stakeholders of the Mole Talk campaign will roll out a three-year programme of educational activities and events which will highlight the preventative measures that can be taken to protect the skin and significantly reduce the risks of developing skin cancer.
Activities planned include a series of events that will be hosted across the UAE in schools, universities and other public spaces all year round — with advice and information shared across media and digital platforms.
The campaign also plans to target and engage private and public sector work places to educate employees on skin cancer, participate in organisations’ Corporate Wellness Days, and invite dermatologists to speak on methods to protect the entire family.
