The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) has a simple message for summer - 'Be SunSmart Everywhere'.
The CANSA website states that South Africa has the second highest incidence of skin cancer in the world after Australia. This is partly due to our intense levels of Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Over-exposure to UV radiation leads to skin damage, and over time, can develop into skin cancer. The good news is that respecting the sun can prevent skin cancer.
Play it Safe with CANSA’s Sun Smart Tips
| Seek shade: | Avoid direct sunlight between 10am and 3pm. This is when the sun’s rays are the most dangerous. |
| Cover up by wearing hat: | Wear a thickly-woven and wide brim UPF50+ hat to block out the harmful UV rays. |
| Protect your eyes with sunglasses: | These should block at least 99% of UV light. Look for a UV protection rating of UV400. |
| Smear on: | Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher: Apply generously to all exposed skin at least 20 minutes before going outside into the sun. Re-apply at least every two hours, as well as after swimming, towel-drying and sweating. |
| Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps: | According to the CANSA website, sunbeds and tanning booths were officially classified as cancer causing agents by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) back in 2009. |
Hats with CANSA SunSmart Seal of Recognition
A wide range of our hats have been awarded the CANSA SunSmart Seal of Recognition and carry the CANSA UPF50+ swing tag, meaning that they have been specifically tested and verified as meeting the UPF50+ requirements. The fabric is also approved by ARPANSA (Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency).
Ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) is a numerical rating given to clothing to indicate how effectively the fabric blocks ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The highest UPF rating a garment can be assigned is UPF50+.
Purchase CANSA SunSmart UPF50+ Hats
View of Get Out & Play collection of UPF50+ CANSA approved sunhats for men and women of all ages plus colourful and sunsafe hats for children. You can also buy our hats from over 600 stockists across southern Africa. Find a stockist near you via the listing on our website.
Respect the sun and prevent skin cancer this summer by following the CANSA SunSmart tips. It’s a sunny life, wear your hat!