Skin Cancer Prevention

The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Hildegarde Naughton, has launched the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2023-2026.

Skin cancer is the most commonly-diagnosed cancer in Ireland, with around 13,000 new cases every year. This number is projected to double by 2045. However, the majority of cases can be prevented by following skin protection behaviours. Developed by the National Cancer Control Programme in partnership with Health Ireland, the National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2023-2026 was completed in consultation with cancer charities, healthcare professionals and national organisations representing priority groups.

It builds on the foundations of public awareness created via the original plan which ran from 2019 to 2022.

It includes a number of actions designed to target specific groups which have been identified as being particularly vulnerable to UV damage.

These include children and young people, outdoor workers and those who participate in outdoor leisure activities as well as sunbed users.

Its core messages will be amplified through HSE’s annual SunSmart communications campaign which uses a range of platforms to provide targeted key messages about skin protective behaviours.

Minister Naughton said:

“Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Ireland, but it is also largely preventable and we can all significantly reduce our risk by adopting practical skin protection behaviours.

“The new Skin Cancer Prevention Plan builds on the excellent work already done to build awareness and it provides a road map to ensure that skin protection becomes part of our everyday routine, and I would like to thank the team in the National Cancer Control Programme for their extensive work on this.

“As well as being the cornerstone of our National Cancer Strategy, cancer prevention embodies the principles of Healthy Ireland.”

Don’t let allergic reactions disrupt your customers’ lives –whether it ’s hayfever, allergic skin rashes or food allergies such as itchy skin, rashes and hives.

Product Information: Piriton 4mg Tablets (Chlorphenamine maleate). Indications: Treatment of acute allergic reactions. Dosage and method of administration: Minimum dosing interval 4 hours. Adults and children 12 years and over: 1 tablet every 4-6 hours (maximum of 6 tablets in 24 hours). The elderly: 1 tablet every 4-6 hours (maximum of 3 tablets in 24 hours). Children 6-12 years: 0.1mg/kg or ½ a tablet every 4-6 hours (maximum of 6 half tablets in 24 hours). Children under 6 years: Not recommended. Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to ingredients. Pre-coma states. Patients who have been on MAOI therapy within previous 14 days. Precautions: May act as cerebral stimulant in children and adults, with children and elderly more likely to experience paradoxical excitation. Use with caution in patients with severe renal or hepatic impairment, epilepsy, severe hypertension and cardiovascular disease, raised intra-ocular pressure, prostatic hypertrophy, bronchitis, thyrotoxicosis, bronchiectasis and bronchial asthma. May cause drowsiness. May seriously a ect ability to drive and operate machinery. Avoid alcohol or concurrent use with sedative drugs. Avoid in elderly with confusion. Should not be used with other anti-histamine containing products. Contains lactose. Keep out of reach and sight of children. Side e ects: Sedation, somnolence, disturbance in attention, abnormal coordination, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, nausea, dry mouth, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia, fatigue, chest tightness, blood dyscrasias, allergic reactions including anaphylaxis. Neurological anticholinergic e ects, particularly in the young and elderly.

Overdose: Symptoms of overdose likely to be similar to side e ects listed and requires medical attention. Legal category: Pharmacy Only. Product Licence Number: PA 0678/080/001. MAH: GlaxoSmithKline

Consumer Healthcare (Ireland)