Dáithí Ó Sé urges public to use SPF after cancer scare

Dáithí Ó Sé was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma in 2023

The presenter said his cancer scare gave him a total wake-up call, but believes the public still has a long way to go in protecting ourselves against skin cancer.

He believes we have made progress, but more needs to be done when it comes to being sun safe.

Ó Sé told the Irish Mail on Sunday that we need to protect ourselves from the sun's harmful rays every day.

“I think people are getting a bit better at it all along, and eventually, I think it will stick.”

“If you go back 10 years, there was nobody talking about this at all, or there wasn’t as much. I remember people going on holiday years ago, bringing baby oil.”

“Even if it’s a cloudy day, even if I’m sitting inside in the car, it’s factor 50 in the morning and factor 50 in the afternoon, and even on the back of my hand when I’m driving the car.”

The Today Show presenter explained that he noticed a spot on his eyebrow that wouldn't go away in 2023.

"I went in thinking they’d take out the freezing gas or laser it, but she was pretty sure it was a form of skin cancer," he told The Irish Times.

What are the signs of basal cell carcinoma?

According to The Irish Cancer Society, a basal cell carcinoma typically appears as a slightly transparent bump on the skin.

Basal cell carcinoma appears as a pearly or waxy bump, a flat, flesh-colored, or brown scar-like lesion.

You may also notice a bleeding or scabbing sore that heals and returns.

Basal cell carcinoma usually occurs in sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your neck or face.