Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, with two in every three Australians diagnosed with skin cancer before the age of 70. This is largely due to our climate, the fact that many of us have fair skin that isn’t suited to such harsh conditions, our proximity to the equator and our love of the great outdoors. Too much sun exposure can lead to problems like sunburn, premature skin ageing, cataracts and skin cancer.
Anyone can be at risk of developing skin cancer. The most serious form of skin cancer, melanoma, is most strongly related to intermittent sun exposure (as may be experienced on holiday or weekends). Skin cancers form when skin cells are damaged by UV radiation penetrating the skin and cause the skin cells to mutate and grow abnormally.
Sunburn is not the only cause of skin cancer. Tanning or just too much sun year after year, can also lead to people developing the disease.
But we don’t need to avoid the sun altogether, just take care not to over do it!
The Cancer Council recommends five simple steps to sun protection:
- Slip on some sun protective clothing, that covers as much skin as possible
- Slop on 30+ broad spectrum sunscreen every two hours
- Slap on a hat that covers your face, head, neck and ears
- Seek shade
- Slide on UV protective sunglasses, make sure they meet Australian standards
The Cancer Council recommends adoption of sun protection measures when the UV Index is 3 or above. The UV Alert is published daily in newspapers and can be found at www.bom.gov.au/uv
For more information on sun protection visit www.cancer.org.au/sunsmart
