Misinformation about tanning confuses the Czech Republic: A big overview of the worst

“Don’t put sunscreen on your children, their skin needs to get used to the sun.” “Skin cancer isn’t caused by UV radiation, it’s the chemicals in sunscreen.” “I don’t wear sunglasses. They cause photophobia, and I know that most vitamin D enters the body through the eyes.”

This is just a small sample of what people are sharing on social media and health professionals are just shaking their heads in disbelief. After all, if we don’t protect our skin, the sun can cause us one of the most dangerous skin cancers – melanoma.

“This is one of the most common types of malignant tumors in our country. And although sunlight is an important cause of its formation, misinformation is still spreading that the skin does not need to be protected, that it has to be »used to«. We can also encounter similar baseless nonsense about wearing sunglasses.” explains Kateřina Šédová, founder of the Loono organization, saying that it can cause fatal health consequences for people who believe this nonsense.

Melanoma in the eye

“Just as we protect our skin from sunburn, we should wear sunglasses with a UV filter when we are in the bright sun. It is the prevention of eye melanoma.” explains MUDr. Jana Mikšovská from the Neovize Ophthalmic Clinic Prague. This type of cancer occurs in adulthood mainly in Caucasians.

“Treatment depends on the size, risk of growth and damage to the eye by the tumor. In some cases, only observation is chosen, in other cases, laser or biological treatment, radiation or surgical removal of the entire eye is necessary. Treatment of melanoma of the eye is often radical and can lead to loss of vision. This tumor also often metastasizes to vital organs,” explains Mikšovská.

More misinformation from the internet

• The published figures on skin cancer lie, cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies pay for tinkering research.
• You only need to lubricate once in the morning!
• We never got sick and we didn’t get cancer.
• Mothers who suck their babies are very anxious. They should switch to homeopathy.
• Grandma lived to be 95 years old. She worked in the fields and never used sunscreen.
• The dermatologist scolded me for oiling my daughter. They say I’m harming her and the creams will soon be banned due to the content of carcinogenic substances.

Fake news of actresses and doctors

The well-known doctor Jan Vojáček also took care of the controversial statement. He posted on Instagram that he doesn’t wear sunglasses because he wants to have a healthy relationship with the sun and natural light. Actress Gabriela Filippi (53) even encouraged her followers on Facebook to regularly look at the sun every day, and thus absorb vitamin D into the body through the eyes.

Will there be more deaths?

According to dermatologist prof. MD Monika Arenbergerová, in 2022, 2,818 patients with advanced melanoma and 800 in the initial stage were diagnosed with us. One in six died of melanoma. “If we do not change our behavior in the sun and approach to prevention, in 2040 melanoma will be the most common cancer in the world in men and the second most common cancer in women,” warns the dermatologist.

More than a hundred finds!

Last year’s Blesk Ordinace, which took place in five Czech cities in the fall, proved that melanoma is indeed one of the most common cancers. Visitors were very interested in the examination of birthmarks, and long queues formed in front of the examination tents. And it paid off. During these five stops, doctors diagnosed 67 skin cancers and 49 pre-cancerous conditions, which needed to be addressed as soon as possible so that they did not “degenerate” into a malignant tumor.

Glasses with protection

Sunglasses should protect against UVA and UVB radiation, a UV 400 filter is recommended. “Glasses with side protection, which protect against reflected rays, or with polarization, which directs reflected light from surrounding surfaces, are optimal. Sunglasses with 100% UV protection are the only ones you should buy.” advises Kristýna Štěbetáková, an optometrist at Alensa.

How to prevent?

• Limit exposure to direct sunlight between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Use creams with a high factor, preferably 50+. Apply a sufficient amount and lubricate repeatedly!
• Wear sunglasses with a certified UV filter and a head covering.
• Get clothes with a protection factor.
• Don’t forget the annual preventive check-up for moles. This year, you can have them checked in September and October at Blesk Ordinaci in Olomouc, Litoměřice, Brno, Hradec Králové and Prague.

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Author: Lightning