07 January 2007

People need reminding about the dangers of the sun

A new survey showed people need to be reminded about the dangers of the sun, NSW Minister for Health John Hatzistergos, said today.

Mr Hatzistergos said the NSW Cancer Institute surveyed 300 people aged 13 to 44.

The online survey found:

• More than a third of people thought a tan "looks healthy"
• 69% of people were sunburnt last summer
• Nearly half of them frequently spent more than 15 minutes in the sun between 11am and 3pm
• 45% of women and 37% of men believe their friends think a tan is a good thing
• Less than one-fifth of those surveyed regularly reapply sunscreen every two hours
• Only 25 per cent had a skin cancer check in the past 12 months.

Mr Hatzistergos said the NSW Government, in conjunction with the Cancer Council, had launched a $1 million melanoma awareness campaign this summer.

It features a graphic advertising and education campaign illustrating the scarring left by surgery to remove a melanoma.

"Melanoma kills 388 people in NSW each year," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"This survey shows that people still need to be reminded about the dangers of the sun.

"The NSW Government will continue to invest in awareness campaigns to spread the sun safety message and reduce melanoma cancer rates."

Mr Hatzistergos said latest figures from the Cancer Institute show:

• 145,000 cases of skin cancer were recorded in NSW during 2004, including 3,400 cases of aggressive melanoma cancers;
• Melanoma was the most common cancer in men aged 25 to 54 years and in women aged 15 to 29 years;
• Melanoma rates have jumped by 18% in men and 21% in women over a decade.

He said sun safety tips include:

• Know your skin - have a doctor check any moles that change in shape or size, colour (especially turning darker to brown/black), start to bleed, or grow thicker.
• Seek shade between 10am and 3pm.
• Wear protective clothing that covers your skin, and wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses.
• Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outside - SPF 30+ is recommended.
• At the beach, use a water-resistant sunscreen and re-apply at least every two hours.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au