Coast ranks among NSW’s worst melanoma hot spots

WITH the mercury set to soar back into the mid 30s over the next few days health experts are reminding parents of the importance of sun safety messages such as “slip, slop, slap”.

Early crowds at Avoca Beach before temperatures rose to 38 degrees earlier this month. (AAP Image/Sue Graham)

WITH the mercury set to soar back into the mid 30s over the next few days health experts are reminding parents of the importance of sun safety messages such as “slip, slop, slap”.

It comes as new data reveals the Central Coast ranked as the 21st worst melanoma hotspot in NSW.

The Cancer Institute NSW figures reveals that by local area health district, the Central Coast ranked fourth for melanoma only behind Northern NSW, Mid North Coast and the Hunter New England districts.

Crowds at Avoca Beach earlier this month. (AAP Image/Sue Graham)

Cancer Institute CEO Professor David Currow said this year alone 4,900 people in NSW will be diagnosed with melanoma.

“By 2021 this figure will increase to approximately 6,000 people and will continue to grow but we can take action. We know that 95 per cent of melanomas can be prevented by protecting the skin from harmful UV.

“Our message for people in NSW is to take action to protect your skin, it could save your life. When the UV is high, whether it is sunny or overcast, seek shade, apply broad spectrum, SPF 30+ sunscreen every two hours and wear a hat, sunglasses and protective clothing.”

Tent city. Many beachgoers have got the message about sun safety. (AAP Image/Sue Graham)

Health experts from Australia’s peak medical body, meanwhile, have put parents on notice.

Australian Medical Association NSW president Brad Frankum said irresponsible parents deliberately not applying sunscreen to their kids on multiple occasions was behaviour akin to child abuse.

“Is it negligence? If a child burns themselves by tipping boiling water over themselves … I don’t see severe sunburn is any different,” Prof Frankum said.

“If it happens repeatedly then that would be quite abusive really. It’s no different to burning your kid with something else.”

Prof Frankum said those who thought “getting a bit of colour” was good for theirchildren’s skin needed to be re-­educated about the dangers education.