Sun safety for seniors
20 Dec 2024
Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, it’s even known as our national cancer. Over 440,000 Australians are treated for skin cancer and unfortunately more than 2000 Australians die each year from skin cancer.
Fortunately, skin cancer is preventable. Nearly all skin cancers are directly related to your exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation; this means, that when you protect your skin from the sun’s UV radiation you reduce your risk. The good news is it’s also never too late to start! Every day you protect your skin, you reduce your risk.
Sun protection is needed whenever UV is 3 or above regardless of the time of day or time of year. In NSW, the UV is high enough to damage your skin for over 10 months of the year, so make sun protection part of your daily routine.
Learn about the different types of skin cancer.
Protect yourself in five ways
- Slipping on sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
- Slopping on a SPF 50 or 50+ broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen.
- Slapping on a hat – broad brim, bucket or legionnaire style to protect face, head, neck and ears. If choosing to wear a cap, make sure sunscreen is applied and re-applied every 2 hours (or more often if you’re sweating) to all exposed skin.
- Seeking shade. Find shade whenever you can. Shade alone can reduce UV exposure by up to 75%
- Sliding on some wraparound sunglasses – make sure they meet Australian Standard.
For cancer information and support call Cancer Council’s 13 11 20 Information and Support line.
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