Australians risking their health in sun by ignoring slip, slop, slap
Australians are putting themselves at risk by spending more than 2 billion hours unprotected in the sun each summer and research shows one in 10 Aussies don’t apply sunscreen at all.
VIC News
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Australians are putting themselves at risk by spending more than 2 billion hours unprotected in the sun each summer.
That accounts for about half the time the nation spends exposed to the elements in the warmer months, according to a new study.
The research also found one in 10 Australians did not apply sunscreen at all.
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With the mercury set to hit 38 on Friday, Melburnians are being reminded to care for their skin this summer.
But Victorians often leave themselves exposed in day-to-day activities. Weekday commuting and exercising outdoors were neglected by almost two-thirds of the state.
“Considering high-profile sun awareness campaigns already in Australia in the past few decades, these statistics are shocking,” dermatologist and skin surgeon Dr Leona Yip said. “There is obviously more to be done in ensuring we are protecting ourselves all the time. Protection is the key to prevention.”
The study, commissioned by Nivea Sun, also found more than half of Victorians reported they did not apply sunscreen when dining outside at restaurants and cafes.
Almost a third of picnic and barbecue goers were forgetting to slip, slop, slap.
Even those who are applying sunscreen do not always know how much to apply, with three-quarters of Victorians admitting they did not know what the recommended coverage was.
The effects of sun exposure, including melanoma, are a major concern for doctors over the summer months.
A study commissioned by specialist life insurer TAL into skin-cancer awareness raised the alarm for doctors with only a third of Victorians reporting to have had a skin check in the past year.
TAL is putting on pop-up skin check clinics around the country and the SpotChecker booth will be at St Kilda beach on the Australia Day weekend.
Victorians are ahead of the rest of the country with their sun-smart behaviour, with more than 90 per cent of residents reported putting sunscreen on before heading outdoors.