dto dispensers of sanitizing to distributors of sunscreen. The initiative to convert one into the other, transforming the devices born in the Covid emergency into permanent public health tools, was born thanks to the dermatologist Karen van Poppelen. Her hospital in Venlo-Venray, the Netherlands, has thus begun working with state health insurers to finance the supply of sunscreen in 120 primary schools in different municipalities. The idea then took off. From this summer, free sunscreen in Holland it is now a reality.
Free sunscreen in Holland against skin cancer
To counter the record of skin cancers, the Dutch government has indeed decided to install free sunscreen dispensers at beaches, schools, parks, festivals and public open spaces. The Venlo-Venray hospital near the German border supplies the sunscreen dispensers in cooperation with the Dutch Cancer Society KWF, the insurer VGZ and various municipalities.
As noted by the Guardianmedical authorities have reported a record increase in skin cancer cases across Europe in recent years. In particular, around one in six Dutch people will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime, and one in 50 will develop melanoma. In Germany, according to the Federal Statistical Office, in 2021 the number of deaths from skin cancer increased by 55% compared to 2001.
If secondary prevention is done with checkups and self-examination of moles, the best primary protection against skin diseases is sunscreen. But it must be applied consistently, and in this sense i distributors act as a “reminder”. In short, those who have forgotten it at home have no more excuses.
T-shirt, cream and cap: good rules to protect yourself from harmful rays
Ad hoc campaigns to stem the spread of skin cancer are organized in all countries. Some more successful than others. For example, in Australia and New Zealand since the 1980s the slogan «Slips, slops, slaps» encourages citizens to wear one T-shirtsmear the sunscreen and put on a hat in the warmer months. The aim is always the same: to make the use of the cream is a habit, a routine how to brush your teeth.
And in Italy? Skin cancers have grown here too: according to the latest data Airtum (Italian Cancer Registry Association)there are about 15,000 new cases a year and 2,000 deaths, so much so that melanoma has become the third most common cancer in the under-50 population.
Sunscreen, evolved and expensive
The golden rule to prevent this very serious pathology is to apply a sunscreen suitable for your phototype and in sufficient quantity (usually, we tend to use little product).
The sunscreens must then be reapplied, especially those with chemical screens: even if more sensorial and pleasant, yes after an hour they decrease the capacity of UV absorption of up to 36 percent.
Sunscreens have evolved a lot in recent years, but their price has never gone down, quite the contrary. An initiative like that of the Dutch government could help a lot to make the use of sunscreen, and the prevention of cancer, not only more common, but also more democratic.
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