Summer is here - how to be safe in the sun, enjoy a BBQ or plan a holiday

Sun safety

Sun safety is important for people affected by lymphoma as some treatments can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight (photosensitive) and more at risk of sunburn. This includes radiotherapy, many chemotherapy drugs (including dacarbazine, methotrexate and vinblastine), the antibody-drug conjugate loncastuximab tesirine and some supportive drugs. It’s important to take extra care when spending time outside, especially in the summer months, although it is important throughout the year.

• Avoid being in the sun when rays are strongest, between 11am and 3pm. UVA rays stay at equal levels throughout the year, whereas UVB rays are at their most intense during the summer, around midday and at high altitude.
• It is UVB that causes sunburn. UVA damages the collagen and elastin, which cause ageing and wrinkles.
• Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher with both UVB and UVA protection. (The SPF is the level of protection against UVB) while the stars on the bottle (1 to 5) show the level of protection against UVA.
• Wear sunglasses with a UV filter.
• Use clothing to help protect yourself from the effects of sun, such as a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt and trousers.

Enjoying a summer barbeque or picnic

Summer’s a great time to enjoy a BBQ but it’s worth thinking about food safety. Lymphoma and some lymphoma treatments can affect your immune system, so it is especially important to avoid food poisoning.

The World Health Organization (WHO) gives five key steps to food safety:

• Keep clean – wash your hands thoroughly and make sure that food preparation surfaces and utensils are clean.
• Separate – separate raw meat, raw poultry and raw seafood from other foods. Use separate utensils to prepare them. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after preparing these foods.
• Cook your food thoroughly – especially when cooking meat, eggs and seafood.
• Store foods at safe temperatures – generally, this means below 5°C for cold or perishable food and above 60°C for hot food. Once food is cooked, don’t leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours; put it in the fridge.
• Use safe water – wash fruit and vegetables before eating them, choose pasteurised (heat-treated) ingredients and do not eat or drink products that have passed their expiry date.

You can read more about safe food handling on the WHO’s website. The Food Standards Agency also have useful information.

Planning a trip?

If all this talk about summer and sunshine has got you thinking about a holiday, here are some things to consider if you are planning a trip.

• Talk to your specialist or CNS if you are unsure whether it is safe for you to travel.

- Ask if there are any places or activities you should avoid while you’re away.

• Research your destination. Are there medical facilities or a hospital nearby if you need them? What is the transport like if you want to get around?
• Ask about any travel vaccinations you need, as some need to be planned many weeks in advance. Search for ‘travel vaccinations’ on the NHS website and note that live vaccinations might not be suitable for you.
• If relevant to the country you are travelling to, also ask about precautions to protect against malaria which may need to start before you go away.
• Ensure you have the right travel insurance for your trip.

- Speak to a number of companies to get the right cover for you and your situation. Some companies specialise in people with pre-existing conditions.

- Take copies of the insurance policy details and contact numbers with you when you travel.

• Apply for a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card - which replaces the EHIC). This is not a replacement for travel insurance, but allows you to access ‘medically necessary state-provided healthcare’ if you are visiting an EU country or Switzerland. These are free and you can apply via the NHS website.