Macmillan Cancer Support’s information bus is coming the Royal Welsh Show to answer your questions about cancer and offer sun safety advice to people living with cancer.
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The Macmillan green bus, affectionately known as Bronwen, is at Avenue B98 for the show (Monday 22 to Thursday 25 July) and on board the bus is a team of trained professionals with first-hand experience of cancer treatments and front-line support services.
Bronwen is packed with information on the different types of cancers, their symptoms and where to get help from diagnosis right through to the physical, financial and emotional support available locally.
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With summer holidays fast approaching, the team are keen to make people living with cancer aware that some cancer treatments – including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and many targeted drugs and biological therapies – can make skin more sensitive to damage from the sun.
Tips for people living with cancer to protect their skin include:
- Protect your face and neck with a wide-brimmed hat.
- Wear sunglasses with a guaranteed ultraviolet (UV) light filter.
- Use a sun cream with a high sun protection factor (at least SPF 30). Follow the instructions on the bottle and reapply as recommended, particularly after swimming.
- Wear clothing made of cotton or natural fibres. These have a closer weave and offer more protection from the sun.
- Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, usually between 11am and 3pm. Try to sit in the shade, even at other times of the day.
- If you have had radiotherapy, keep the treated area completely covered.
- Use fake tanning lotions or sprays to give yourself a tan, instead of sunbathing or using a sunbed.
- If you have to apply bite or mosquito repellent cream, apply the suncream first, followed by the repellent cream.
The team will also be handing out sun cream samples to visitors to the show ground.
Speaking about Macmillan Cancer Support returning to the Royal Welsh Show, Moray Hayman, Bronwen Team Lead Cancer Information and Support Specialist said:
“We love attending the Royal Welsh Show as it’s a great opportunity to meet up with, and offer support to, people from our rural communities.
“Last year, over 3,372 people visited Bronwen and engaged with our team over the four days of the show.
“We encourage anyone who has questions about cancer to come and see us, whether they’re living with cancer, have been recently diagnosed, are caring for someone with cancer or are worried about somebody.
“Our bus has a private room on board also lets people have more sensitive conversations with staff, who can help find the information and support that they need.
“The Royal Welsh Show is obviously a ticketed event and if you are unable to visit the bus but have questions about cancer, visit www.macmillan.org.uk or call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 00 00. It’s open from 9am to 8pm.”
