SunSmart

On the CANSA Couch: Be Sunsmart – Protect Your Skin at Every Age

In this episode of On the CANSA Couch, hosts Megan and Kudzai shine a spotlight on the importance of being Sunsmart – a simple but powerful way to reduce the risk of skin cancer.

They’re joined by Dr Donny Fick, a Johannesburg-based general practitioner, avid runner, and passionate advocate for skin cancer awareness. Drawing on his experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery, media medicine, and everyday general practice, Dr Fick unpacks why skin cancer remains one of the most preventable cancers – yet continues to affect thousands of South Africans, particularly older adults.

Published: 18 December 2025
Updated: 13 January 2026
Categories: CANSA Highlights, CANSA's Seal of Recognition, On the CANSA Couch Podcasts, Reduce Cancer Risk, SunSmart

CANSA Urges South Africans to be SunSmart this Holiday Season 

CANSA is urging families, schools and communities across the country to take extra care in the sun this summer as ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaches dangerous levels. With school holidays in full swing and outdoor activities increasing, children are especially vulnerable to sunburn, long-term skin damage and future skin cancer risk. South Africans underestimate how powerful our sun is, even on cloudy, windy or cool days. UV radiation is the danger, not the temperature…

Published: 10 December 2025
Updated: 23 March 2026
Categories: CANSA on the Move for the Youth, Media Releases & News, Men's Health, SunSmart, Women's Health

CANSA Welcomes Solar Buddies as a Cause-Related Marketing Partner

CANSA is excited to partner with Solar Buddies, an award-winning, child-friendly sunscreen applicator designed to make sun protection easier and more accessible.

Published: 10 February 2025
Updated: 17 February 2025
Categories: Fundraising Events & Projects, Our Cause Related Marketing Partners, Reduce Cancer Risk, SunSmart

Cancer Webinar Series – Skin Cancer: Melanoma (19 November 2024)

Join us on Tuesday, 19 November 2024 from 09 00 – 11 30, for a webinar discussing skin cancer, and in particular Melanoma…

Published: 12 November 2024
Updated: 21 November 2024
Categories: Advocacy, Men's Health, SunSmart, Women's Health

Skin Screening with Bioderma SA This September

CANSA urges everyone to be SunSmart all year round. This September, Bioderma is joining the fight against skin cancer by offering free skin cancer screenings at Workshop17 locations in South Africa.

Published: 22 August 2024
Updated: 20 September 2024
Categories: Men's Health, SunSmart, Women's Health

CANSA Welcomes Flatdog Bodyguard Sunscreen

2 July 2024 –  CANSA is proud to announce Flatdog Bodyguard Sunscreen as a new partner under the CANSA Seal of Recognition (CSOR) Smart Choice Protection category. Flatdog Bodyguard Sunscreen joins an esteemed group of products that align with CANSA’s mission to reduce cancer risk. #LowerCancerRisk #CANSASmartChoice Kudzai Nyaruve, CANSA Seal of Recognition Coordinator, commented […]

Published: 1 July 2024
Categories: Advocacy, CANSA Seal of Recognition - Protection Category, CANSA's Seal of Recognition, SunSmart

CANSA World Melanoma Day Webinar 2024

RECORDING AVAILABLE: ‘You can’t outrun the sun’, says Dr Donny Fick, general practitioner. Join guest speaker Dr Donny on our webinar to find out about the damaging effects of UV rays and what you can do to lower the skin cancer risk…

Published: 16 May 2024
Updated: 16 July 2024
Categories: CANSA Webinars, SunSmart

South Africans at Higher Risk of Skin Cancer 

CANSA says that while May marks the end of summer for South Africans with winter fast approaching, it’s also Melanoma Awareness Month, reminding us to continue to be sunsmart throughout the year, no matter the weather conditions…  

Published: 14 May 2024
Updated: 27 June 2024
Categories: CANSA on the Move for the Youth, Media Releases & News, Men's Health, SunSmart, Women's Health

“I Started to Live My Life on Purpose” – An Interview with Naniki Seboni

CANSA Ambassador and melanoma survivor, Naniki Seboni joined Karger’s The Waiting Room Podcast, to speak about about her experiences of being diagnosed with stage 3 malignant melanoma at the age of 25…

Published: 9 May 2024
Updated: 27 June 2024
Categories: Environment, Men's Health, Reduce Cancer Risk, Screening & Cancer Control, Stories of Hope, SunSmart, Women's Health

360Five Everyday Summer Fedora to Benefit CANSA & Promote Cancer Awareness

Fig Distribution will donate R15 from the sale of every 360Five Summer Fedora Hat sold, starting 1 April 2024.

Published: 26 March 2024
Updated: 9 October 2024
Categories: Fundraising Events & Projects, Men's Health, Our Cause Related Marketing Partners, SunSmart, Women's Health

CANSA Endorses SunKin Apparel for Kids

SunKin is more than just a collection of brightly coloured, spirited, and beautifully crafted apparel for children; it is a commitment to prioritizing sun safety above all else. Created with a deep love for family and the endless joys of sun-soaked, ice cream-filled summer days, SunKin ensures that little adventurers can enjoy extended outdoor play […]

Published: 25 March 2024
Updated: 18 December 2025
Categories: CANSA Seal of Recognition - Protection Category, CANSA's Seal of Recognition, SunSmart

Climate Change – Unsuspecting Risk Factor For Skin Cancer

The complex relationship between climate change, the surge in ultraviolet (UV) radiation (read fact sheet), and the increase in skin cancer cases globally, is a growing concern for medical professionals and CANSA. As global weather patterns undergo shifts due to climate change, the consequential increase in UV rays poses a heightened environmental risk for skin cancer, particularly in regions like South Africa with its subtropical location, climate and topography…

Published: 12 December 2023
Updated: 10 April 2024
Categories: Advocacy, Media Releases & News, SunSmart

Melanoma Ranks in Top Five Cancers

In May, awareness is placed on Melanoma, currently ranking the fifth most prevalent cancer in men and sixth most prevalent among women in South Africa, according to the National Cancer Registry (2019). The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) reminds South Africans to protect themselves from overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays that are the main cause of skin cancer and to be aware that people of all skin tones (light to dark) can be diagnosed with skin cancer.

Published: 1 December 2023
Updated: 5 November 2024
Categories: CANSA's Seal of Recognition, Media Releases & News, Men's Health, Screening & Cancer Control, SunSmart, Types of cancer, Women's Health

Podcast: Being Sunsmart – On the CANSA Couch

Join us on the CANSA Couch, we’re talking about being SunSmart. Guests are Prof Michael Herbst, Clinical Specialist, Patient Advocate, and cancer survivor from CANSA joined by Emthunzini Hats Brand Manager, Roxy Barlow.

Published: 27 November 2023
Updated: 6 March 2024
Categories: CANSA Seal of Recognition - Protection Category, On the CANSA Couch Podcasts, SunSmart

CANSA withdraws Smart Choice Seal from two sunscreens

CANSA announces that it is withdrawing its Smart Choice Seal from the Kool-a-Chem range of sunscreens currently carrying the CANSA trademark, as of November 2023. This is due to non-compliance and contravention of the license agreement, following random laboratory tests carried out by CANSA.

Published: 13 November 2023
Updated: 14 November 2023
Categories: CANSA Seal of Recognition - Protection Category, Media Releases & News, SunSmart

Video: Melanoma Patient Webinar

Recording available – ‘Let’s get under the skin of melanoma – mutation matters’. Exploring testing, early diagnosis and treatment…

Published: 19 December 2022
Updated: 7 February 2023
Categories: CANSA Webinars, Men's Health, SunSmart, Women's Health

Naniki Seboni – Brown Skin Girl

People of all skin types are at risk for melanoma. When Naniki was told that she had Stage 3 malignant melanoma, she asked, “What is that?” To which the doctors explained skin cancer. Her response was, “But, I’m black?” Naniki goes on to explain, “I had never heard of a black person having skin cancer. Yes, prostate and cervical but not skin cancer…”

Published: 17 December 2022
Updated: 18 September 2024
Categories: Stories of Hope, SunSmart

Katherine Burger Shares Melanoma Diagnosis

Says Katherine, “Melanomas can look like any lump or bump, so that’s it’s so important to know our bodies and watch for changes. You should do a skin self-examination every few weeks. Most importantly, this is why EVERYONE should have an annual skin check by a dermatologist.”

Published: 16 December 2022
Updated: 7 February 2023
Categories: Stories of Hope, SunSmart

Ocean Freedom Sunscreen Gets Thumbs Up For CANSA Seal

Ocean Freedom mineral sunscreens have been awarded the CANSA Seal of Recognition denoting it as a ‘CANSA Smart Choice’ product for cancer risk reduction…

Published: 13 September 2022
Updated: 30 September 2022
Categories: Advocacy, CANSA Seal of Recognition - Protection Category, CANSA's Seal of Recognition, SunSmart

Sunscreen root4 Receives CANSA Seal of Recognition

CANSA welcomes its latest CANSA Seal of Recognition partner, root4 3D Defence SPF50 Mineral Sunscreen, under their Protection category. root4 is the perfect addition to the CANSA Smart Choice family as it not only meets national and international sun protection standards, but it’s also safe for the environment…

Published: 12 September 2022
Updated: 30 September 2022
Categories: Advocacy, CANSA Seal of Recognition - Protection Category, CANSA's Seal of Recognition, SunSmart

Melanoma

There are two main categories of skin cancer, namely, melanoma (malignant melanoma) and non-melanoma. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the incidence of both non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers has been increasing over the past decades, and WHO estimates that a 10 % decrease in ozone levels will result in an additional 300 000 […]

Published: 19 May 2022
Updated: 12 August 2025
Categories: SunSmart, Types of cancer