Slipping into shade the best cancer prevention

By BERNARD ORSMAN

Shade is the best form of sun protection, says John Greenwood, an Australian architect and expert on preventing skin cancer through planning and design.

The slip, slop, slap message for sunscreen is less important than shade and clothing for enjoying the outdoors, says the bronzed Sydneysider.

He has been touring New Zealand councils for the Cancer Society to advocate better design and safe environments for children.

That could be as simple as moving the headmaster's shaded carpark to make a play area in a school, Mr Greenwood told a seminar organised by the North Shore City Council this week.

New Zealand and Australia have the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Melanoma and other skin cancers are almost completely preventable.

Undercover, a book written by Mr Greenwood for the Cancer Society, contains practical advice for providing shade.

Trees with dense foliage and wide-spreading canopies are ideal for schools so long as they do not pose dangers such as spikes or thorns, cause asthma or skin irritation or attract bees.

There should be trees planted as near as possible to the sand at beaches and signs telling people to take particular care between 11am and 4pm.

The ideal outdoor restaurant would have retractable shade over most areas, textured paving to reduce ultraviolet reflection and dense natural shade to the north.

When designing good shade protection, a minimum of 94 per cent protection from ultraviolet radiation is essential.

In northern New Zealand, Mr Greenwood recommends shade from September through April and access to cooling sea breezes.

Sun is a good winter tonic but - as Mr Greenwood found on a local golf course this week - it still burns. Be careful year round.

nzherald.co.nz/health