Increased rate of NSW adults getting sunburnt

ALMOST one million adults across the state were sunburnt at least once over a four-week period, according to a new report from the Cancer Institute NSW.

The “Sun Protection Behaviours Report”, released last week, shows 15 percent of people surveyed reported being sunburnt, up from 12 percent in the previous report.

The research analyses data from the 2022 NSW Health Population Health Survey, which asked about 13,000 people to report on their sun exposure, episodes of sunburn, adoption of the five sun protection behaviours and the ease of finding shade at public parks.

The report found young people were more likely to be exposed to the sun and experience sunburn, with one in four 18-24 year olds reporting a sunburn in a four-week period.

Young adults were also less likely to adopt sun protection behaviours such as wearing a hat and sunglasses.

The report found more than 80 percent of respondents used at least one form of sun protection, though only 35 percent always or often used three or more.

It also found exposure to the sun for more than 15 minutes when UV is at its highest reduced among NSW adults overall from 46 to 41 percent.

Ninety-five per cent of melanoma and 99 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers are caused by overexposure to UV radiation from the sun and can be prevented with proper sun protection.

NSW Chief Cancer Officer Professor Tracey O’Brien AM, who serves as the Chief Executive of Cancer Institute NSW, said two out of three Australians will be treated for skin cancer in their lifetime.

“Skin cancer is the most common cancer affecting young Australians, so it is worrying to see that an estimated one in four young people report getting sunburnt,” she said.

“I urge everyone to do the simple things like seeking shade when outdoors, wearing sunscreen, putting on a hat, sunglasses and protective clothing to safeguard themselves from the sun’s harmful UV radiation.

“In NSW, UV radiation levels are high 10 months of the year, so even in winter, adopting sun protection behaviours is essential, particularly at high altitudes and on reflective surfaces such as snow or ice.”

The general rule is to protect your skin from the sun when the UV index is at three or above, which in NSW is most of the year including in winter.

The most effective defence against overexposure to UV radiation is to follow these five key steps:

1. Slip on protective clothing

2. Slop on SPF50+ sunscreen. Sunscreen should always be applied 20 minutes before heading outdoors and re-applied every two hours.

3. Slap on a wide brimmed hat

4. Seek shade

5. Slide on sunglasses.