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Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 May 2009

Vol. 195 No. 5

Cancer Prevention Programme.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me raise this matter, the need for a campaign to address the issue of the dangers of sunburn and the use of sunbeds. As we come towards the time most associated with travelling to sunny tourist destinations, we also have a responsibility to understand the risks associated with getting that tan, whether by natural means or by using a sunbed. We have access to sun holidays and sunbeds all year round now but in moving towards the height of the season we have to be proactive in highlighting the other side of sunburn and the tanning process. We have a responsibility to inform people of the risks but also to show how dangerous it can be to ignore what can appear to be insignificant lumps or bumps.

It is when young people die as a result of what seemed an innocuous lump that relatives have begged me and other politicians to promote understanding of this very serious and fatal issue. This is the reason I wish to know the current status of health awareness campaigns which publicise the risks and inform about the best forms of protection and what signs to look for. I note that in a debate in the House on bowel cancer we conducted an entire debate without outlining the signs of the cancer and what were the best preventative measures.

The fact that sunscreens do not fully prevent the possibility of skin cancer or melanoma is not fully understood. There are differing strengths of sunscreen but they must be applied regularly and not just once daily. This may seem obvious to some but not to everyone. I have been reading up on the issue and I note the list of important signs to be aware of. It is known as the ABCD approach which is: asymmetry, lesions typically irregular in shape; border, melanoma lesions with uneven or irregular borders; colour, melanoma lesions often contain many shades of brown or black whereas benign moles are usually a single shade of brown; and diameter, melanoma lesions are often more than 6 mm in diameter whereas benign moles are less than 6 mm. It is advised that any lesion greater than 6 mm to 10 mm, a lump, bump or otherwise, should be checked by a doctor during a physical examination. Those at risk include people with fair skin that burns or freckles easily, those with relatives who have had skin cancer, those with a history of one or more bad, blistering sunburns as a child or teenager or those who have a history of the disease.

The Irish Cancer Society has informed me that the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health and Children does not fund any sun awareness or skin cancer awareness campaigns. While the Marie Keating Foundation does a certain amount of work, the Irish Cancer Society is the primary charity in this area. The society funds a sun smart campaign every year and will launch the campaign next week with a national advertising campaign which will focus on educating people about the risks of skin cancer. This will target students and people in work places and will advertise a helpline. The society is asking that sunbed legislation be brought forward as soon as possible to regulate the industry and to protect minors from exposure to the harmful effects of sunbeds. This legislation was first promised in 2006. The Irish Cancer Society participated in consultations in 2008 and its priority is to have this legislation brought forward as a matter of urgency.

The Department has stated that this is unlikely to happen before the autumn but given that it seems to be straightforward legislation, it seems that if it is given priority by the Minister, it could be fast-tracked through the legislative process. I understand there can sometimes be valid reasons for not giving priority to certain issues. However, I know people who died very young from something we should be better informed about. We all love to see the sun and to benefit as much as we can from it and get as red as we can. It is very important that the Department rows in with the work this charity is doing through legislation and supporting the awareness campaigns. In working together we can achieve the maximum results. I do not know off-hand the statistics on the number of people dying each year from melanoma but every life lost is a life too many.

I thank Senator Keaveney for raising this matter on the adjournment of the Seanad, which I am taking on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, who could not be here. Skin cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in Ireland. In 2005 there were 26,776 new cancers registered with the National Cancer Registry, of which 6,196, 23.1%, were non-melanoma skin cancers and 598, 2.2%, were melanoma skin cancers. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. I again thank the Senator for raising the matter as it helps us to focus on what this issue is about.

The national cancer control programme, NCCP, which was set up in 2007 to provide a comprehensive programme of cancer control in Ireland, has established a cancer prevention working group in collaboration with the health promotion services of the Health Service Executive. The key areas for attention are smoking cessation, obesity and physical activity, alcohol and exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

The NCCP is in the process of establishing a multidisciplinary skin cancer expert working group, chaired by a consultant dermatologist, to address the prevention and management of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The focus of the work will be on prevention and awareness, early detection and management in the primary care setting, GP referral guidelines and integration of general practice with acute services and specialist management of skin cancers. The first meeting of the group has been set for May 2009.

Responsibility for running health promotion and social marketing campaigns, including public awareness campaigns, falls within the remit of the Health Service Executive. The Health Service Executive does not plan to run specific campaigns on the dangers of sun exposure for this summer 2009 as the new skin cancer expert working group is beginning its work this month.

The Irish Cancer Society is a leading provider of information on skin cancer and the importance of prevention in Ireland. Through a variety of campaigns and services, the society endeavours to reach all people and educate them on skin cancer prevention and the importance of the early detection of skin cancer. This year the Irish Cancer Society will again run a national SunSmart campaign to promote skin cancer prevention behaviours and to encourage people to follow the SunSmart code. The campaign is scheduled to commence on 11 May with national radio and magazine advertising. This year's campaign will be primarily aimed at children and those caring for children to encourage everyone to be SunSmart.

In June 2006, the National Cancer Forum prepared A Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland. In that report, it was recommended that "in conjunction with campaigns to promote safe sun practices and to reduce exposure to ultraviolet radiation, regulation of sunbed use, including restriction of their use to adults only should be put in place." The Department of Health and Children initiated a public consultation on the proposed legislation to regulate sunbeds and has analysed the submissions received. Meetings have taken place with interested parties and a regulatory impact analysis, RIA, has been drafted.

The enforcement measures to apply to the proposed sunbed legislation are being considered. This is an ongoing process and the Department is researching the legal issues, examining the position both in Ireland and in other countries and arranging meetings with a number of interested parties. In parallel with this, work is under way to finalise the RIA and the heads of a Bill for consideration by Government. These processes are inter-linked and outcomes in these areas of work will shape the final versions of the RIA and the heads of a Bill. Following consideration of the enforcement issue, the completion of the RIA and the drafting of the heads of the Bill, it is intended to submit proposals on the regulation of sunbeds for consideration by Government before the end of the year.

Despite the enormous benefits of preventing diseases and illnesses, the primary focus of health care systems is on treatment rather than prevention. I firmly believe that promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours across the population is worthwhile. The Government will continue to support efforts to create greater awareness around the preventative measures and positive lifestyle behaviours needed to allow people to live healthier lives. Again, I thank Senator Keaveney for bringing the issue before the House.

Given its serious nature, bringing this most serious issue to the attention of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, as soon as possible rather than leaving it to the end of the year would be much appreciated by all involved.

Given the statistics I have just read and the alarming and increasing numbers, it is my intention to do so.

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