With the warm weather we've had in Ireland lately, people are understandably keen to get outside and enjoy the sunshine.
But it's also important to be aware of how we can protect our skin against conditions like melanoma.
Dr. Rupert Barry, consultant dermatologist at St. James's Hospital, spoke to us about what melanoma is.
"Melanoma is one of the three common types of skin cancer. It comes from the pigment cells which give us the colour in our skin and is due to intense occasional sunlight exposure. It usually occurs in people in their 60s or 70s and unfortunately is also one of the leading causes of mortality in people under the age of 45."
Melanoma can be recognised by a rapidly changing mole or one that changes size, shape or colour.
"When it's caught early, cure rates can be 95-100 per cent. But if it's not caught early, it can go on to cause problems."
The most important way of detecting melanoma at an early stage is to be aware of what your skin looks like and any pattern of change, paying particular attention to rapid or progressive changes in moles.
On Wednesday June 28th, The Irish Skin Foundation launched Protect & Inspect, a sun awareness health promotion campaign, targeting the sun-loving public but with a particular focus on those who intend to spend time holidaying in the sun, whether at home or abroad.
For more information on melanoma and other skin cancers, visit irishskin.ie.
