Protecting skin from the sun, starting from a very young age, is the key message the Bermuda TB, Cancer and Health Association is trying to convey to all school students.

Whether outside kicking ball, swimming, or just sitting around, it is important to protect the skin from the sun's ultraviolet rays which could cause skin cancer.

The Bermuda TB, Cancer and Health Association, one of Bermuda's oldest charities, has added a new service to its already successful ones.

It has introduced education and has hired Teresa Cameron as public relations director for education and fundraising.

Presently, the ongoing education programme is on Skin Cancer Awareness which is aimed at all levels and has no age limits. The programme is being taught in the primary schools until June in hopes of educating as many young children as possible before the summer arrives.

The schools programme talks about the positive and negative effects of the sun, examination of the skin and how best to protect skin from the sun using the "Slip, Slap, Slop'' slogan which is an international logo used in such places as Australia, Canada, America and now Bermuda.

"We talk about the earth's protection from the sun, the ozone layer and the way in which it has been damaged which means more protection is needed for our skin. We also talk about the damage sunburn can do and if sunburn is a regular occurrence, the risk of skin cancer later on in life especially with people of very light skin,'' Ms Cameron said.

She added: "The talks in the schools range from 30 to 40 minutes depending on the different questions the children may have. When talking about the negative things the sun does, we have been surprised to hear children as young as six-years-old say skin cancer.

"At the end of each presentation, we give all the children a bag containing a white cap with our logo, a bookmarker with the sun sense guidelines, a sachet of sunscreen of SPF 30 and a letter to their parents explaining the lesson to them with facts the children have learned in order for the parents to take responsibility for the protection of their child's skin.

"We have asked all schools taking part in this programme to make the wearing of hats during all outdoor activities compulsory, which was agreed by all schools.'' Ms Cameron said the programmes were taught by trained volunteer teachers. On gathering the information the programme was then put together to suit the needs of Bermuda.

She added: "Once the schools break up then we will be teaching in the nursery schools and in September we will start in the schools with the older students.

"The programme, for the 14-year-olds and over discusses other health related issues such as breast self-examination for girls, lung cancer related to smoking, pap tests for girls, cervical cancer and nutrition and cancer.'' Ms Cameron said the association hoped to instil healthy life choices by teaching the facts.

"Through education, it is hoped the community in Bermuda will learn the facts surrounding cancer which could lead to prevention or early detection, and maybe a cure. If the public is aware of the symptoms and the beginning stages of cancer, then it is hoped that at that point they will seek medical advice instead of wasting precious time which is the case.'' The top layer of the skin is called the epidermis. When its cells are disturbed by the sun's ultraviolet light, these cells can become cancerous.

Cancerous cells are disorganised. They produce a roughened surface or tumerous growths known as basal cell or squamous cell cancers.

The epidermis also has pigment-producing cells called melanocytes which give our skin its colour. Thee cells can be altered by ultraviolet light to produce the most dangerous type of skin cancer, melanoma.

About 44,000 Canadians develop skin cancer each year. Fortunately, it is almost always curable if treated early. Although most skin cancers are not threatening, they are a significant health problem because of the way they destroy tissue, usually on the face.

The colour of skin and tendency to sunburn are related to the risk of developing skin cancer. The lighter the skin colour, the greater the risk of damage, including skin cancer caused by sun exposure, according to the association.

"In October of this year, it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we hope to have programmes and workshops to help educate women on the facts surrounding breast cancer,'' Ms Cameron said.

She added: "In June, which is Cancer Awareness Month, shops on Front and Reid Streets will display posters in their windows with bathing suits, hats, wraps, sunscreen etc. to help promote Skin Cancer Awareness.

"There will also be a workshop taking place on June 7 at the Cathedral Hall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guest speakers will talk on skin cancer, SPF (sun protection factor in sunscreens) UV rays, sunscreen, and how to protect yourselves from the sun.

"In the morning there will be an activity workshop for children with exciting tasks to do and activities to take part in.'' She also said the association hoped to involve Tourism in this project as it also affected visitors, the hotels, beaches etc. and "we want to remind not only locals but visitors to be careful in the sun. It is hoped that if the visitors are careful and not burnt they will enjoy their vacation a little more.

"We hope that mare people in Bermuda will become involved in the programme and will assist as volunteers. Volunteers are vital to the ongoing work the association has planned for this year and hopefully many years to come,'' Ms Cameron added.

PHTOO SUN PROTECTION -- These primary five students from Harrington Sound Primary learned, last week, how to protect themselves from getting sunburned by using sun block and wearing hats. Pictured with her class is Diane Bean.