Skin cancer capital Queensland ignorant of causes

QUEENSLAND is the skin cancer capital of the world — but one in three people here are confused about what actually causes sunburn.

QUEENSLAND is the skin cancer capital of the world — but one in three people are confused about what actually causes sunburn.

Cancer Council’s national sun survey revealed 33 per cent of Queensland adults did not realise that UV radiation is the only cause of sunburn, with many believing wind, humidity or heat were factors.

Eighteen per cent mistakenly believed temperature is a useful measure of sunburn risk, and 15 per cent thought wind and humidity could damage their skin, but cloud cover could protect it.

The Cancer Council recommends sun protection when the UV index level is three or above, which in Queensland is all year round.

More than 3,600 Queenslanders are diagnosed with melanoma each year and it is estimated that more than 350,000 non-melanoma skin cancers are treated annually.

Amy Parker, 31, said she thinks people aren’t really educated on what the actual cause of sunburn is.

“I think the common misconception is that it is things other than UV rays such as heat, because people associate temperature with burning,” she said.

“People think if they can’t see the sun then they can’t get burnt, but even on an overcast day I’d be wearing a hat,” she said.