Victorians urged to improve poor sun safety habits

Victorians are being reminded to slip, slop, slap, seek and slide, with new data showing troubling gaps in basic sun safety habits.

The latest Victorian Population Health Survey has revealed just 43 per cent of Victorians often or always wear a hat in summer, and only 55 per cent regularly apply sunscreen when outdoors for more than 15 minutes. Usage of other sun protection methods was similarly low, despite the risks.

SunSmart head Emma Glassenbury said it was time for Victorians to make sun protection part of their everyday summer routines.

“Damage from UV can happen in as little as 11 minutes, and sunscreen and hats are two of the simplest ways to reduce your skin cancer risk,” Ms Glassenbury said.

“Victoria has one of the highest UV levels in the world, so we need people to use sun protection whenever the UV is 3 or above — even on cool or cloudy days.”

Young adults and men were found to be least likely to use all five sun protection methods: wearing a hat, sunscreen, protective clothing, sunglasses and seeking shade.

Despite a 50 per cent drop in melanoma rates among 25 to 49-year-olds since 1997, skin cancer remains common, with more than 3,000 new melanoma cases and 164,000 non-melanoma skin cancer treatments in 2023.

VicHealth CEO Professor Anna Peeters said SunSmart had helped shift public understanding, but more work was needed.

“To prevent skin cancer, we must continue this important education and make sun safety the norm,” she said.

To mark the start of sun protection season, a free exhibition at ACMI showcases 60 years of iconic SunSmart campaigns and the cultural legacy of one of Australia’s most successful public health efforts.

Victorians can learn more and download the free SunSmart Global UV app at sunsmart.com.au.