Developing good habits is an integral part of surviving exceptional weather conditions.
We human beings don’t have natural fur coats, scales that absorb UV rays, protective hides, or cooling feathers to keep us safe from the ravages of a mid-August Bermuda sun.
We need to protect ourselves in more inventive ways, and the SunSmart Programme has consistently gone above and beyond to help Bermuda’s young people learn the habits that will shield them from the deleterious effects of over-exposure to the sun.
Azuree Williams is the driving force behind the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre’s SunSmart Programme, and she is always ready to remind students of the most important lesson.
“The 5 S’s of course! SLIP on protective clothing, SLOP on mineral based sunscreen (SPF 30-35), SLIDE on sunglasses, and seek SHADE between 10am and 4pm – and a bonus ‘S’ is to STAY hydrated.
“All of these simple protection measures give people informed, easy steps on how to protect the skin they’re in and reduce their skin cancer risk.”
Reducing the risk of skin cancer is, of course, the primary focus of the SunSmart Programme. As with all forms of cancer, prevention is very much the best policy – so learning healthy habits early is essential. But is any single habit more important than the others when thinking about being sun smart?
“Really, one should practice a combination of all five habits in order to be truly SunSmart because one over the others will never give you 100 per cent protection.
“Sunscreen alone is not enough because it only provides around 96 per cent protection. Ultraviolet Protection Factor clothing is ideal. The higher the number of UPF protection on the clothing label, the better – and you don’t have to reapply like sunscreen.”
Kids and adults are constantly reminded to practice the 5 S’s whenever the sun outside is oppressive, but has the SunSmart Programme really made much of an impact since its inception?
“Absolutely! We do not have enough data to have followed around all the students who are now adults, who have experienced the SunSmart programme, but via the feedback from our radio interview segments for SunSmart, and our free presentations, the public seems to be listening and calling in to inquire about choosing the best sunscreen,” Mrs Williams said.
“I’ve been running the programme for just over a decade and the calls and emails and concerns have been steadfast over the years, which alerts me that we are making a difference and people are tuned into their health and well-being.”
Always keeping the focus on reaching young people with its vital message, the BCHC has recently recruited a popular local mascot to their noble cause.
“At the moment we are reviewing, and in the process of revamping and reinvigorating the programme. Two years ago, we introduced Tiny the Tree Frog – special thanks to Elizabeth Mulderig, local author and creator of Tiny the Tree Frog, for giving us permission – as one of our new mascots joining our SunSmart girl, Piper Palmetto.”
Although there is no official data to verify the SunSmart Programme’s impact on the general Bermuda public, it’s clear that we have become more aware of the dangers of over-exposure to the sun over the last decade or so.
With all the excellent work this amazing programme has done, including free presentations from preschool to high school, free community Lunch and Learns, and free accreditation training for summer camps annually, it’s clear that the SunSmart Programme is doing its part to keep us safe in the sun.
