Overview
- Diris Lima Este, under the Health Ministry, warned of a surge in cases among 20–30-year-olds linked to prolonged sun exposure without protection.
- Dermatologists and Senamhi report extreme UV readings, with multiple regions at index 13 or higher and peaks near 19 in high-Andean areas and roughly 15 along the coast.
- The Círculo Dermatológico del Perú, alongside Minsa, EsSalud and private clinics, will offer free skin cancer checks nationwide from Jan. 26 to Feb. 13, with the main day on Feb. 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Specialists urge protective clothing, wide-brim hats, UV-filter sunglasses, shade-seeking and avoiding sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., plus sunscreen SPF 30–50+ reapplied every two and a half hours.
- Clinicians stress that sun damage is cumulative, noting immediate burns and precancerous actinic keratoses can evolve into skin cancers, and cite cost and knowledge gaps as barriers to prevention.