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Sunset on the Beach

Prevention
 

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, but the good news is that most skin cancers are preventable.

 

The Cancer Council and the SunSmart organisation recommend following the "Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide" message for effective sun protection, especially when the UV Index is 3 or higher.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Source: Cancer Council Victoria

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Here are the 5 ways to reduce your risk of skin cancer:

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Choose clothing that covers as much skin as possible, like long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Look for clothing with Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) for guaranteed protection. Tightly woven, darker fabrics, generally offer better protection.

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Apply a generous amount of SPF 50+ broad-spectrum, water resistant sunscreen to clean, dry skin at least 20 minutes before going outdoors. For an adult, you'll need about one teaspoon for each limb, your head and neck, and the front and back of your body (around 7 teaspoons or 35mL for a full body application). Reapply every two hours, or more often if swimming or sweating a lot. Remember that sunscreen is a helpful tool, but it is not an invincible suit of armour and should be used with other sun protection methods.

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Choose a broad-brimmed, legionnaire or bucket hat that shades your face, neck and ears. These areas are very common sites for skin cancers. Caps and visors do not provide enough protection.

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Use natural shade from trees or built structures.Bring your own shade, like a sunshade tent, when outdoors. Even in the shade, UV radiation can reflect off surfaces, so combine shade with other sun protection measures.

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Wear close-fitting, wraparound sunglasses that meet Australian Standards (AS/NZS 1067). Sunglasses protect your eyes from harmful UV radiation.

Other important points to remember:

 

Check the UV Index: UV radiation isn't something you can see or feel, so check the daily UV levels using the free SunSmart app (details below) or on the Bureau of Meteorology website. Sun protection is needed when the UV index is 3 or higher.​

 

There's no such thing as "wind burn": If you feel like your skin is red or hot after a long day outside even when cooler and overcast, chances are it is still sun damage. The time needed for sun damage to occur is less for patients with fair skin.​

 

Don't try to tan or follow social media trends: Tanning is a sign of skin damage, not health, and it increases your skin cancer risk over the course of your life.​

 

Regular skin checks: Become familiar with your own skin and check it regularly for any new spots or changes in existing moles (size, shape, colour or texture). If you notice anything unusual, see a skin cancer trained doctor as soon as possible. Early detection greatly improves treatment outcomes.

Technology

Phone App

The SunSmart organisation have developed a free global app for your phone to provide real-time and forecasted UV levels no matter your location. 

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With notifications enabled, you'll get UV and sun protection alerts each day as well as access to seven-day forecasts. The app is available in 8 languages.

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​Head to the SunSmart website for more details on the app and how to download it.

Got your own website? Sunsmart have a free widget that you can add to it for live data at 600 locations in Australia.

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