UV rays don’t take holidays – stay sun safe in winter

AMA (NSW) President, Dr Saxon Smith, says that even though winter is around the corner, UV rays don’t take holidays and skin cancer prevention is still a priority.

“As we head into winter in NSW, it’s still important to protect yourself from the sun.

“UV rays don’t take holidays and just because it’s getting cooler does not mean your sunscreen use and other sun safe behaviour should lapse,” Dr Smith said.

“May is Melanoma Awareness Month in the United States, where they’re headed into summer, and here that’s a useful reminder for us to continue our own sun protection.

“American health authorities also recommend year round sunscreen use and the US has a much lower rate of skin cancer than we do in Australia.

“Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in Australia but more than 95 per cent of skin cancers are preventable.

“The best way to prevent skin cancer is to not get sunburnt and protect yourself against the cumulative damage of a lifetime of sun exposure from living in Australia.

“So, it is important to follow the sun safe practices by wearing protective clothing, sunglasses, a hat, sunglasses and seeking shade at peak UV times,” Dr Smith said.

“Skin cancer prevention strategies are easy and they lower your risk, there’s no excuse not to keep up sun safe behaviour outside of summer.

“Unfortunately, my research shows that while nearly all of us use sunscreen in summer, only about half of us do in spring and even less than that in autumn and winter.

“So, save your own skin and keep up sun safe behaviour this winter,” Dr Smith said.

Media Contact: Lachlan Jones (02) 9902 8113 / 0419 402 955