The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Hildegarde Naughton TD recently 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 Programm 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.
Dr Triona McCarthy, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, National Cancer Control Programme, said; “The National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan 2023-2026 outlines how we can support individuals to reduce their risk of skin cancer. This is a great opportunity to harness the power of workplaces, community groups, recreational groups, healthcare professionals and others to make SunSmart behaviours the norm.
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