Pharmacy employees
Pharmacy employees
Some types of cancer treatment can cause skin problems. It is important to protect skin from the sun during and after treatments¹ and to avoid exposure as much as possible.
Cancer treatments can cause cutaneous toxicity like skin dryness, skin rashes, coloration or discoloration of the skin, or dark spots on every region of the body². They can also make the skin more sensitive to the sun (photosensitivity), therefore causing rapid, severe burns. This temporary effect generally disappears in the months following the end of treatment¹.
With radiotherapy, the irradiated area remains more sensitive to the sun for up to a year post-treatment1.
Depending on the products administered during immunotherapy, a rash and itching may be observed during treatment and may persist for some time after treatment has ended³.
Practical tips for your patients for protecting skin¹
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Do not expose to the sun (UVA/UVB) during chemotherapy and for six to eight weeks following the end of treatment
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Wear a wide-brimmed hat and clothing that covers your arms and legs
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Regardless of the season, apply sun cream with the highest sun protection factor (SPF 50) to areas exposed to the sun (face, scalp, neck, etc.), even in cloudy weather, and reapply during the day
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Advise patients treated by radiotherapy to not expose their skin to the sun for the first year following the end of their treatment and to cover their head if they have lost their hair due to chemotherapy
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Before any exposure to the sun, and outdoor activity, apply a sufficient amount of the product*
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Reapply frequently to maintain protection, especially after sweating, swimming, or drying yourself
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Don't stay in the sun too long, even if you're using sunscreen
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Excessive sun exposure is dangerous – avoid exposure between 12 pm and 4 pm
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Wear protective clothing (a wide-brimmed hat, glasses, T-shirt, etc.)
*If you don't use the recommended amount of product, you significantly reduce the level of protection.
Recommended treatment
 Mineral lotion SPF 50+ |  Mineral cream SPF 50+ |
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