Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) has launched a campaign to raise awareness among workers about skin cancer by reaching more than 4,000 workers in co-operation with Qatar Volunteers. The campaign focuses on the importance of precautio ns when exposed to the sun, especially in the summer.
Malak al-Noaimi, health educator - Professional Development Office at QCS, said: “The risk factor for skin cancer comes from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Sunlight is the main source of UV rays while tanning lamps and beds are an artificial source of UV radiation. Other risk factors are exposure to chemicals, especially at the workplace, including arsenic, industrial tar, coal, paraffin and certain types of oil. The risk of skin cancer is much higher for people with fair skin than dark-skinned people.”
Early signs and symptoms of skin cancer include a sore that does not heal, change in sensation – itchiness, tenderness or pain, flat, firm, pale or yellow areas, similar to a scar, small, pink or red, translucent, shiny, pearly bumps, which might have blue, brown or black areas, new moles and any changes in existing moles in terms of size, shape or colour.
