In the middle of summer we tend to be more careful and protect our skin more from ultraviolet radiation, but did you know that the UV index in Canary Islands is the highest in all of Spain and that you should take precautions all year round? We tell you ...
Fundamentally, there are 2 types of cancer cutaneous or skin: melanoma and non-melanoma
Melanoma skin cancer
- It can appear on pre-existing moles or on healthy skin
- It is the most malignant, dangerous and with the greatest potential for mestástasis skin cancer
Non-melanoma skin cancer
- This type of cancer is more frequent than the previous one but less dangerous
- As Dr. Marina Rodríguez Martín explained to us in an interview, “this type of skin cancer does not normally exceed the skin layer in depth, that is, it does not usually metastasize as frequently as melanoma”
Now that we review the types of skin cancer, let's go to the main topic ...
How does ultraviolet radiation influence the onset of skin cancer?
The simple answer is: the UV index influences, and much. And it is that the 2 types of skin cancer that we have mentioned have as their main external factor, nothing more and nothing less than the patient's exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Not only do we talk about constant exposure, also a seasonal exhibition; that is to say, people who do not get too much sun all year long but in summer they do it constantly. They too They are exposed to skin cancer.
In that sense, if we know that in Canary Islands the sun “accompanies us all year”(Theme that we love… but that you have to face with awareness to be able to take care of ourselves responsibly of this climatic characteristic of our archipelago), we ask ourselves ...
How does the constant solar exposure of the Canaries influence the possible development of skin cancer?
Once again, we give you a quick response (and to reflect and act): It influences, and much. Not only for the “constant of the sun ” but for the radiation levels that exist in our region. In our archipelago, the UV radiation index is extremely high.
Next, we tell you more details about what is the “UV Index in Canary Islands”, what data it throws and why You must, yes or yes, know him.
UV index in Canary Islands and in the rest of the world
UV index it is measured on a scale which starts at zero and does not have a maximum value, and shows in a simple way, if the intensity of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation is "Low", "moderate", "high", "very high" or "extremely high".
The forecast that the meteorological services give us of this value, shows the UV Index daily maximum expected.
You should know that…
For example, on the day we made this article, the Canary Doctor team conducted the consultation and the prediction indicated:
- 11 Index for: Santa Cruz de la Palma, San Sebastián in La Gomera, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura, Arrecife in Lanzarote and Valverde in El Hierro
- 10 Index for Santa Cruz de Tenerife (with forecast for the next day of an 11 Index as well)
UV Index values in Canary Islands vs. other places
It is important (and very illustrative) to know that the UV Index yields standard and universal values, therefore you can compare one place with another anywhere in the world.
In this way, you can emit predictions of ultraviolet radiation in each of Canary Islandsand at the same time we could compare it with the UV index of another place.
For example:
At the time of writing this note, whiles in our archipelago the average UV Index was 11 (extremely high), in Madrid and Catalonia the average is 8 (very high); in Cantabria, Balearic Islands and Basque Country 7 (high); and in Galicia 4 (moderate). For its part in Germany and United Kingdom the average was 5 (also moderate)
In general terms, it is important that the canaries let's be aware that higher rates of radiation in Spain They are all in Canary Islands.
What do these UV index values mean in Canary Islands?
It means that we are the only Autonomous Community of Spain that touches the number 11, considered an “extremely high” value in the UV Index table.
Therefore, we canaries take greater precautions at the time of exposure to the sun, to avoid side effects, skin cancer being one of them.
Alarming data on UV Index in Canary Islands
It is very important that you also consider these data:
- The UV radiation we have throughout the year is higher than the European average
- UV radiation in Canary Islands can reach triple to maximum ultraviolet radiation solar that exists in Spain
As he explained in a interview with Canary Doctor dermatologist Marina Rodríguez Martín, if we add that the canaries are not adapted to the environment, the need to be informed and not forget the importance of protecting ourselves is greater.
And it is that our skin phototype is not as brown as it should be to naturally be less affected by UV radiation in our area.
In this way, we must obligatorily take extra measures, all year round, to protect us from ultraviolet radiation.
Dr. Marina Rodríguez tells us about the UV and Canary Islands Index
We share this interview with the Dermaten Clínicas specialist, dermatologist Marina Rodríguez Martín, where she refers to the UV index in Canary Islands.
What are these measures?
- It is necessary to use sunscreen (not only to go to the beach but ALL YEAR ROUND)
- Wear a hat or caps (especially in the case of children or the elderly)
- Avoid leaving during the central hours of the day
- Always look for the shadow
- Remember that the umbrella is not enough protection from the sun
- Place protectors on the windows of the car, especially if there are children inside