South Aussies urged to be SunSmart as UV rises

With summer starting today and UV reaching extreme levels daily, Cancer Council SA is reminding South Aussies to be SunSmart and slip, slop, slap, seek and slide.

With Cancer Council SA data showing that 34.2 per cent of South Aussies are still getting sunburnt at least once over summer, sun protection during periods of extreme UV is vital to protect skin from damage.

Cancer Council SA Community Education Coordinator Diem Tran can comment on the following:

• The difference between UV and heat;
• When and how to protect your skin;
• How UV can damage the skin’s DNA; and
• How to spot the difference between a regular mole and skin cancer.

Interviews can be arranged on request by contacting Natasha Baugh on 0400 855 244 or sending an email. For more information and to check the daily UV levels, visit sunsmart.org.au or download the SunSmart App.

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Notes to editor:

• Skin cancer accounts for the largest number of cancers diagnosed in Australia each year, with at least two in three people are diagnosed with skin cancer before age 70.
• UV is responsible for 99 per cent of all non-melanoma and 95 per cent of melanoma skin cancers.
• To minimise skin damage, you should protect your skin in five ways when UV is 3 and above:
  • Slip on some sun protective clothing
  • Slop on SPF 30, or higher, broad spectrum sunscreen
  • Slap on a shady hat that protects the head, face, ears and neck
  • Seek shade whenever possible
  • Slide on some wraparound sunglasses