Sunbathers choose to ignore danger

People are not getting the message that baking in the sun is dangerous, experts say.

New research from across the Tasman has shown half of all Australians still believe a tan is healthy.

Skin specialists here say New Zealanders are no different and they fear the misconceived idea that a tan is good for you is contributing to a national skin cancer epidemic.

New Zealand has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.

Almost 300 people die from the disease each year, most from melanoma.

SunSmart Week, which began on Monday, aims to increase awareness of the risks of sun exposure.

Skin specialist Dr Chris Boberg said the Cancer Council Australia research showed many people had still not woken up to the dangers of ultraviolet rays despite campaigns like "Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap".

"These findings indicate we need a continuing strong national campaign, particularly targeting youth."


The Cancer Council Australia's first National Sun Survey found men, more so than women, believed a tan was healthy.

Among males aged 18-24, 56 per cent thought people with a tan looked healthier, compared with 43 per cent of females in the same age group.

The better result among women was attributed to messages about the dangers of sun exposure in women's magazines.

Dr Boberg said everyone had to overcome the belief that a tan was good. "Any tan is evidence of skin damage. It is anything but healthy."

The SunSmart campaign is a joint effort by the Cancer Society and the Health Sponsorship Council.

Each year about 50,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in New Zealand and almost 300 people die.

Slip, slop, slap, wrap

* Slip into a shirt and into the shade, especially between 11am and 4pm when ultraviolet rays are most fierce.

* Slop on some sunscreen. Use an SPF30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen and apply a thick layer at least 15 minutes before going outside. Reapply 15 minutes after the first application to ensure complete coverage and also after physical activity, swimming or towel-drying.

* Slap on a hat with a brim or a cap with flaps. More people get burned on the face and neck than any other part of the body.

* Wrap on a pair of sunglasses. Close-fitting, wrap-around glasses are best.