Hats on for Skin Health

Hats On For Skin Health, a collaboration between Stiefel, a GSK company and the International League of Dermatological Societies Hats On For Skin Health, a collaboration between Stiefel, a GSK company and the International League of Dermatological Societies

Hats On For Skin Health is a global campaign to spotlight the deadly effects that sun rays can have on the sensitive skin of albinos. Through a worldwide effort, the program aims to raise funds to purchase suns hats for albinos living in Tanzania, which has the one of the highest rates of albinism in the world.

Presently, tens of thousands of albinos live in Tanzania, and unless something is done to protect their skin from the sun’s rays, the majority of them will develop skin cancers at an early age, and many won’t see their 40th birthday.

Everyone can play a part. Donate towards the purchase of a hat. Don’t stop there. Encourage friends and family members to donate as well.

Visit www.hatsonforskinhealth.org for more details.

Quick Facts:

• - Tanzania has the highest rates of albinism in the world, with one in 1,429 people affected
• - Less than 2% of albinos in Tanzania will reach the age of 40
• - In Tanzania, 100% of albinos show signs of sun damage to their skin within the first ten years of life
• - Half of albinos in Tanzania between 20 - 30 years old suffer from advanced skin cancers

The camp is hosted by Camp Papillon, the summer camp site of the Quebec Society for Disabled children.

About Skin Cancer in African Abinos

For a variety of reasons including social stigma, lack of education, and limited job opportunities, manual labor in the hot African sun is often the only work available to albinos. Prolonged sun exposure threatens the lives of tens of thousands of albinos living in East Africa, but few understand the sun’s damaging, if not deadly, effects.

Rates of skin cancer among albinos in the countryside are much higher than they need to be for want of simple, inexpensive protective measures and health education.

Many factors play a role in skin cancer prevention, including education about sun avoidance, sun blocks and shade provided by protective clothing such as large-brimmed hats, shirts or blouses with long sleeves, long trousers or long skirts and socks.

A study conducted in northern Tanzania reported that although albinos previously died between 20 and 30 years of age, today they can live considerably longer because of preventive sun protection. Albinos and parents of albino children must be informed about the disease and how to prevent sun damage.