Home   >   Issue 18 - Nov 2004   >   SUNSMART LAUNCH

SUNSMART LAUNCH

By on November 13, 2004

Many of our Members may remember the article in Issue 14 of the CMPA News (March 2004) which described the new WorkSafe campaign. The campaign highlighted the dangers of excessive exposure to UV radiation from sunlight, and aimed to improve the level of UV protection for construction and other outdoor workers.

Following on from this we have included below some information compiled by The Cancer Council Victoria regarding skin cancer in
Victorians for your information.

Melanoma

  • Melanoma is the most deadly of the skin cancers; treatment of melanoma is generally surgery, where the cancer and its surrounding skin are removed.
  • The Cancer Council’s registry for 2002 shows, 1,807 Victorians were diagnosed with Melanoma.
  • This rise can be attributed to:
    • Significant lag time between exposure and diagnosis – many of these people did not receive the SunSmart message early enough to reduce their risk. (96% of those diagnosed were over 25 years)
    • Skin cancers are being detected earlier due to community knowledge of early detection messages.
  • Melanoma is the fifth leading site of cancer diagnosis in Victorians behind Bowel, Breast, Prostate and Lung cancer.
  • 215 Victorians died in 2002 from melanoma.

Financial Cost of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the largest financial burden of all cancers on our health system costing over $420 million each year.

Non-melanoma

  • In 2002—374,000 Australians were diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer.
  • More than 1 in every 2 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime.
  • In Victoria, 48,850 people were diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancers in 2002.

National incidence and mortality rates 2002

  • 8,531 Australians were diagnosed with melanoma
  • 374,000 Australians were diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer
  • 1,300 Australians died from skin cancer (971 melanoma and 359 non-melanoma)

Tanning Attitudes

  • Victoria has been tracking tanning attitudes and behaviours since 1990 and last year for the first time in a decade we saw a significant increase in Victorian’s desire for a tan.
  • Research conducted by The Cancer Council Victoria indicates:
    • 24% of Victorians are trying to get a deliberate tan
    • More than 60% of Victorians aged 14-19 would like to have a tan, compared with 29% aged over 55 years
  • Tanning Information
    • Tanning is a sign of skin damage—it’s the skin’s process of protecting itself from further damage
    • When the top layer of skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation, production of a pigment called melanin is stimulated, causing the skin to darken
    • Tanning without burning can cause DNA and skin damage leading to premature ageing, and could cause skin cancer
    • A natural tan offers very limited sunburn protection—usually an average of an SPF4, depending on the skin type
    • The melanin produced by fair-skinned people is much less protective, meaning no amount of sunbaking will result in a tan—just sunburn and skin damage

Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. This summer Victorians should use shade were possible, wear a hat that covers their face, neck and ears, protective clothing, and apply plenty of sunscreen 20 minutes before going out in the sun and reapply every 2 hours

For further information:
Kirsten Pilatti
Ph: (03) 9635 5427
Mob: 0419 552 719
kirsten.pilatti@cancervic.org.au

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