Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.

 

As scary as that fact is we need to understand that anyone can be at risk of developing skin cancer. The majority of skin cancers in Australia are caused by exposure to UV radiation in sunlight. 

 

In Australia:

• skin cancers account for around 80% of all newly diagnosed cancers

• between 95 and 99% of skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun

• the incidence of skin cancer is one of the highest in the world, two to three times the rates in Canada, the US and the UK.

• One person dies of melanoma every hour (every 57 minutes).

• A person’s risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had more than five sunburns at any age.

• Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they are 70.

• In 2011, 2087 people died from skin cancer in Australia

 

 

 

Spray tanning- a healthier alternative

 

 

From the Australian Cancer Council:

 

"People who have a strong desire to change their skin colour would be safer using a spray tanning in preference to UV radiation (direct sunlight or solarium)"

 

It is important to remember that spray tanning stains the skin a darker colour, but this colour does not provide protection against UV radiation

 

The council makes the following recommendations for users of spray tanning to continue to protect their skin by:

• Always protecting their skin when the UV Index is 3 and above;

• Staying in the shade where possible;

• Wearing a broad brimmed hat, sun protective clothing and sunglasses; and

• Using a broad spectrum SPF 30+, water-resistant sunscreen and reapplying every two hours. 

 

 

Source: www.cancer.org.au