Posted 19th January 2021

Be Sun Smart!

Did you know?

• Skin cancer accounts for the largest number of cancers diagnosed in Australia each year (¹⁾
• An estimated 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70 (¹⁾
• The more sun exposure during childhood, the greater risk of skin cancer later in life (²⁾

Sun Protection Myths

MYTH: A tan protects me from UV damage.

FACT: Tanning is a sign of skin damage and does not protect you against further damage. (⁴⁾

MYTH: It is not possible to get sunburnt on cool or cloudy days.

FACT: UV radiation can damage your skin on cool and cloudy days. Temperature is not a good indicator of UV levels and up to 80% of UV radiation passes through clouds. (^5,6)

Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. Reapply frequently. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and wear protective clothing, hats and eyewear when exposed to the sun.

 

Sources:

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2016. Skin cancer in Australia. Cat. no. CAN 96. Canberra: AIHW
2. Oliveria SA, Saraiya M, Geller AC, Henegahn MK & Jorgensen C 2006, ‘Sun exposure and risk of melanoma’, Archives of Disease in Childhood, vol. 91, no.2, pp. 131-138.
3. Gies P, van Deventer E, Green AC, Sinclair C & Tinker R 2015, Review of the Global Solar UV Index 2015 Workshop Report’, Health Physics, vol. 114, no. 1, pp. 84-90.
4. Better Health Channel, Skin Cancer - tanning, 2018.
5. Young J 2016 ‘Six common sun myths exposed’, Bupa The Blue Room.
6. Better Health Channel, Sunburn, 2014.