As of Sunday and throughout the week dermatologists of Maccabi Health Services will examine beach goers across Israel for skin cancer, free of charge, and distribute leaflets on the damages of sun exposure.
The tests will be offered at beaches in Netanya, Nahariya, Haifa, the Kinneret, Tel Aviv, Bat Yam, Ashkelon and Eilat. A tent will be erected on each beach, allowing for complete privacy during the examination.
Some 1,200 new patients were diagnosed with skin cancer in 2007, Health Ministry statistics indicate. About a third were diagnosed at an early stage of the disease.
About 450 people in Israel die of skin cancer every year.
Skin cancer morbidity has gone up between the years 2000 to 2007, among men and women.
Recommendations for healthy exposure to the sun:
- Avoid sun exposure as much as possible between 10 am and 4 pm
- Wear a hat, sunglasses and sun protective clothing
- Put on sunscreen lotion about half an hour before going outside
According to the Israel Cancer Association, babies under six months should not be exposed to the sun at all, while babies older than six months should not be exposed between 10 am and 4 pm.