South Aussie men still not getting the SunSmart message

New ABS data funded by Cancer Council shows that men are still less likely to use sun protection than women, with around three in four South Aussie men not applying adequate sunscreen last summer.

With UV levels soaring to extreme levels, Cancer Council SA and Preventive Health SA are launching their ‘Same Goes For You’ sun protection campaign today encouraging South Australian men to cover up and Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide when the UV is 3 and above.  

This latest data shows that 26.6% of South Australian men used SPF30 or higher sunscreen on most days last summer, compared to 44.1% of South Australian women.

Despite skin cancer being the most preventable cancer, more than double the number of Australian men are dying from melanoma than women.

Darren Adams knows all too well the impact of skin cancer. He was diagnosed in 2018 after noticing a sore on his face that didn’t heal.

“I went to visit my GP, thinking it was a sore from my cricket helmet and he confirmed that it was actually a basal cell carcinoma, which was a bit shocking. Especially when he said I’d had to have it cut out and stitched up,” Darren says.

“Around March 2021, I thought the scar was looking like it had changed, so I returned to my doctor for a check-up. Sure enough, the cancer was back. Two weeks later I had surgery. As a result, my forehead is quite stretched, the recovery was slow. A quarter of my head remains numb, and my right eye feels like it’s open whenever it’s actually closed.”

“In the past I was a bit blasé about sun protection, which didn’t help. All you guys out there, playing sport or spending time outside, learn from my experience.”

The campaign, which targets South Aussie men aged 40-59, highlights that when you cover things up, they last longer. Same goes for your skin.

Cancer Council SA Prevention and Advocacy Manager Christine Morris says that with two in three Australians diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime, checking the UV before going outside and using the five SunSmart measures combined is the best way to protect your skin.

“It’s really important that South Australian men start to take in the SunSmart message. Not only is sun protection vital to reduce your own risk of skin cancer, but role modelling SunSmart behaviours for our children sets them up to take those practices into adulthood, reducing their risk too.”

“To protect your skin and theirs, when the UV is 3 and above, cover up and slip on sun protective clothing, slop on SPF 50 or 50+ sunscreen, slap on a broadbrimmed or bucket hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses.”

Preventive Health SA Acting Chief Executive Helen Thomas encourages all South Australians to be proactive in their wellbeing, as work continues to ensure more GPs are trained and provided with the tools to provide skin checks in metro and regional areas.

“No matter where you live across the state, you are encouraged to regularly check your skin and talk to your GP if you notice any changes.”

The Sun Protection Behaviours Survey 2023-24, conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and funded by the Cancer Councils of Australia, interviewed South Australians who were outdoors in peak UV times during November 2023 to February 2024.

South Australians can check the UV Index and recommended sun protection times by downloading the SunSmart Global UV app.

Learn more about the ‘Same Goes For You’ sun protection campaign.