Free sunscreen in Cork’s future?

“Imagine a parent sitting across from a doctor hearing the word melanoma for the first time.”

The words of Cork County Councillor Aileen Browne who is calling for the installation of free sunscreen dispensers in all public buildings in the county, including libraries, schools, and third level institutes.

As Cork enjoys the recent fine weather, the Fine Gael councillor has asked both Cork County Council and the Government to put cost aside and look at what such a scheme might prevent in the long run.

In her motion at Monday’s full meeting of the council, she asked the county executive to write to Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, requesting that funding be made available for such a rollout.

“Imagine a young child playing outside on a summer's day, skin so delicate, absorbing the sunshine with joy but also perhaps unknowingly absorbing damage that could show up decades later has skin cancer,” said Cllr Browne.

“Now imagine that same child walking into a library with their family. They see a sunscreen dispenser, bright and simple, just like the hand sanitizers we now take for granted. They use it, the parents use it, it becomes a habit. No drama, just protection,” added the councillor.

According to the Irish Cancer Society, skin cancer is currently the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Ireland with 11,358 estimated annual diagnoses. These are divided into melanoma skin cancer (1,289) and non-melanoma skin cancer (10,069). The second most common form of cancer in Ireland is prostate cancer with 4,067 estimated average annual diagnoses.

Cllr Browne continued: “This is not a distant threat. It's already on our doorsteps.

“What makes it most concerning is that most of these cases are preventable.

“We are not a sun drenched country, except for the last couple of weeks, but we are a vulnerable one.

“Making sunscreen part of the daily routine like brushing your teeth will help build a lifelong habit of skin protection,” added Ms Browne.

Highlighting the financial benefits of installing sunscreen dispensers, Cllr Browne pointed out that treating advanced melanoma can cost the health service over €122,000 per case compared to just €4,000 for early stage treatment.

She said: “Prevention doesn't just save lives, it saves resources, it relieves pressure on our already overstretched health system.

“Let us not wait until a loved one receives a diagnosis. Let us be proactive, let us take simple, smart, and compassionate action today that will protect lives tomorrow,” concluded Cllr Browne.

Supporting the motion, Fianna Fáil Cllr Gearoid Murphy said the idea would be “quite affordable to do” and should cost no more than “maybe a few hundred a year or more in maintenance”.

Social Democrats councillor Ann Bambury added: “Having four young children, I know how significant it is to ensure they are fully protected with sunscreen and obviously with our increasing warmer climate, which is to get warmer realistically, all preventative measures should be taken.”

Cllr Bambury also pointed out that sunscreen is currently classified as a cosmetic product rather than a medical necessity and said she would strongly encourage the Government to remove all VAT from current pricing.

Cllr Browne’s motion was passed and Cork County Council will now write to the Department of Health.