Dermatologists organize a “Yellow June” operation to prevent skin cancer, of which 100,000 new cases are detected each year in France, a number that doubles every 10 years. Because the sun’s rays this month are even more harmful than those of summer. The opportunity to remember that it is absolutely necessary to protect yourself from UV rays.
The first rays of sunshine in this month of June that are good for morale while waiting for summer. Many French people have taken advantage of this in recent days… without necessarily realizing that behind this holiday-like pleasure, the UV rays of June are even more harmful than those of summer.
This is the alert that the dermatologists of Franche-Comté have just launched on the initiative of the “June jaune” operation. “As soon as it is light outside there are ultraviolet rays, they are harmful. They are not stopped by clouds or when there is wind. People are aware that you have to protect yourself, but in people’s minds it’s in July or August, when you’re on vacation on a deck chair”, explains Anne-Sophie Dupont, member of the association of Franche-Comté dermatologists (ASFODER).
More UV than in Australia
“In May and June there is a lot of UV in Franche-Comté and all over Northern Europe. There is more UV in the Haut Doubs and Haut Jura on June 21 than in Sydney, Australia. The UV B peak is June 21 at 1 p.m. and not August 15, even if it’s hot”, explain the Franche-Comté dermatologists who carry out awareness-raising operations with the general public by giving advice such as wearing covering clothes, a hat, sunglasses, look for shaded areas, avoid direct exposure between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and of course apply sunscreen.
Other initiatives have emerged to alert the French, such as that of “La Sécurité Solaire”, made up of doctors and scientists, who have been working for nearly 30 years to raise awareness and inform the population by deconstructing beliefs and fake news on the subject.
This is because professionals are worried about seeing skin cancers multiply. There are more than 100,000 new cases of skin cancer per year, which is the most common cancer. Melanoma is the most dangerous with 15,500 people affected per year, including 1,980 deaths according to the latest figures from the Panorama of cancers in France from the National Cancer Institute (Inca). 80% of skin cancers are due to excessive sun exposure, especially during childhood, but 90% can be cured if detected early.
Choosing the right sunscreen
Hence the importance of awareness-raising actions, particularly for those under 35. “In 2022, those over 50 show a level of knowledge that is both significantly higher than those under 35, and than people of the same age in 2000. At the same time, the knowledge of those under 35 has regressed. In other words, young adults, parents or in age to be, who had been sensitized at the end of the 90s, remain aware of the risks now that they are over 50, but the next generation is missing,” observes “Solar Safety”.
The lesser known UV index
And to continue: “the UV index is less familiar to young adults, knowledge of the risks is rather dulled and protective behaviors are less developed. Even more worrying, parents, a fortiori of babies (under 2 years old), are less informed than their own parents, in particular on the link between sunburn in childhood and cancer in adulthood. And they are also the least likely to avoid the most dangerous hours or stay in the shade. Whereas in 2000 the parents of very young children were on the contrary the most sensitized”, noted the association.
Protect yourself and your children, know your skin type, follow a few simple tips, regularly observe your skin (appearance of a new brown spot, a mole) and consult at the slightest doubt: these are the avenues to follow, for all and throughout the year.