NEW England is in the middle of a heatwave and Tamworth Cancer Council is encouraging parents to ensure their teenagers use sun protection, to avoid becoming one of the more than 800 people in the region diagnosed with skin cancer every year.
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A national survey by Cancer Council shows teenagers have a healthier attitude to sun tanning, compared to 10 years ago, but still aren’t using enough sun protection while outdoors over summer.
Dimity Chaseling from Tamworth Cancer Council said parents played a strong role in educating their teenagers on sun safety.
“We know that sun exposure during the first 15 years of life greatly increases the risk of developing skin cancer later in life,” Ms Chaseling said.
“In the Hunter New England region alone it is predicted that, by 2016, 836 people will be diagnosed with skin cancer in a single year.”
She said the hotter temperatures this summer mean more teenagers would be at pools and swimming spots.
“They will be wearing less clothing, like bikinis or board shorts, and be exposed to UV radiation, which is the main cause of skin cancer,” Ms Chaseling said.
“This summer we are encouraging parents to ensure their teenagers have their own tube of sunscreen for the pool or beach, as research shows that young people often forget to protect their skin from the sun when they’re outside and having fun with friends.”
The Sun Sound, five-second jingle which plays hourly between 11am and 3pm, will be in action at 10 pools across the region this summer to remind people to reapply sunscreen.
“If we can start at home in making sure that teenagers pack their own sunscreen, sun safe hats, clothing and sunnies, then parents can relax in knowing that the Sun Sound will have it covered at pools in reminding their teenagers to be sun smart.“