taking care in the sun

Some cancer treatments can make your skin more sensitive to damage from the sun. This can be temporary or permanent. Some chemo drugs can make the whole of your skin more sensitive. The drugs most likely to do this are doxorubicin, daunorubicin, dacarbazine, idarubicin, fluorouracil and methotrexate. Some people also find they’re more sensitive to chemicals such as chlorine and might need to avoid swimming in pools that have chlorine in them.
beach towel and sun lotion

If you’ve had radiotherapy, the skin in the treatment area will remain sensitive for many years and you should take extra care to protect it from the sun. If you’ve had total body radiotherapy, then the dose of radiation is very low and should not cause a problem with sun exposure, but check with your doctors first.

You don’t need to avoid the sun completely, but it’s good to start by going out in the sun for very short periods and then gradually build up the amount of time you spend in the sun.


Sun protection – what you can do

  • Protect your face with a wide brimmed hat and wear sunglasses with an ultraviolet light filter.
  • Use high factor sun protection cream (factor 30 at least). Remember to reapply regularly, especially after swimming.
  • Stay out of the sun when it’s hottest (11am–3pm).
  • If you’ve had radiotherapy, keep the treated area completely covered.
  • Wear clothes made of cotton or natural fibres.
  • Use fake tanning lotions or sprays to give yourself a tan, instead of sunbathing or using a sun bed.

Last reviewed: 14/08/2007