Be Sun Aware – Sun Protective Facts from the Experts

We see the ads, we hear the facts on the radio and we see the pretty UV clothing in the stores but do you really know WHY you need to protect your children from the sun?

Here are the facts :

Australia has, and has always had, the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Approximately two in three people who spend their childhood in Australia will develop some form of skin cancer before the age of 70.   Over 1600 Australians will die from melanoma (the most dangerous form of Skin Cancer) each year.  To put these figures into perspective – only one in nine women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime – a far lesser risk and yet much more prominent in our mind due to the excellent reporting, marketing and promotional activities of the Breast Cancer charities.

The major cause of skin cancer is exposure to UV radiation from the sun.  There are other sources, such as solariums and these should be avoided at all times – buy a spray tan, but never sit under a solarium lamp.

But it isn’t all doom and gloom – the good news is that skin cancer is almost totally preventable, and that most skin cancers can be cured if found and treated early.

It’s not hard to protect your family from Skin Cancer – but it is essential, especially for children and this is why:

Skin Cancer is the most common form of cancer in Australians between the ages of 15 (yes – 15!) and 40 years of age.

The facts are that exposure to the sun’s UV rays during childhood and teenage years is an important factor in the development of skin cancer later in life. Sunburn in childhood is not only unpleasant and painful, it is also a particular risk factor for skin cancer.  Current scientific evidence suggests that the damage is done to cells during childhood, and then further exposure to UV radiation in adult years triggers Skin Cancer.

So now you know the facts from the experts – what can you do to protect your children?

 The Skin Cancer Council recommends the following five ways to protect yourself from the sun:

§  Slip on clothing that covers your arms and legs

§  Slap on a broad brimmed or legionnaires hat

§  Slop on 30+, broad-spectrum sunscreen

§  Seek shade

§  Slide on wrap around sunglasses

Sun Protective Clothing is extremely easy buy in Australia – in fact it was invented in Australia.  You don’t need to buy a designer brand, any garment with a UV certification of 50+ will provide excellent sun protection and needn’t hurt your purse.  A chlorine resistant fabric will last much longer than a nylon garment, so it might be worth spending the extra to get a garment that lasts a bit longer.

Childrens’ young eyes are particularly susceptible to damage from the sun. But we are lucky - Sunglass standards in Australia are among the toughest in the world, so make sure that any sunglasses you buy are UV certified and whatever the price, they will do the trick.  Again, they needed break the bank – the most important factor to consider is ‘will my child wear them’?.  Conquer that and even the cheapest pair will provide excellent sun protection.