RNLI lifeguards visited their local pharmacy in Newport earlier this week to make vital health checks before the summer season.

A national health campaign has taken place in pharmacies across Wales throughout May to help raise awareness about the causes of skin cancer, how to recognise the symptoms and what steps should be taken to reduce the risks. The charity’s lifeguards spend most of their time outside on the beach over the summer; because of this RNLI Senior Lifeguard Celyn Owens decided to arrange vital health checks for the team to get their skin checked by professionals before the summer season.

RNLI lifeguard Celyn Owens explains:

‘Unfortunately skin cancer is one of the most common type of cancer in people aged 15-34 years old. Since the majority of the RNLI’s lifeguards fall into this age bracket, we decided as a group it would be a good thing to get ourselves checked out and ask for advice of how we can protect ourselves from sun damage over the summer.’

Celyn continues:

‘The main advice we were all given was to always wear sun cream, to apply the sun cream about 30 minutes before going out and to remember re-applying the cream throughout the day. I’m glad to say we all had positive results and received great advice ahead of the summer season.’

The campaign which takes place across Wales until the end of May is organised by the seven health boards, Public Health Wales, Community Pharmacy Wales and is actively supported by Tenovus.