New Statistics from the Cancer Council

New data shows that while fewer Aussie adults are deliberately seeking a tan, many continue to have tanned skin as a result of sun exposure, increasing their risk of skin cancer.

The latest figures from Cancer Council Australia’s National Sun Protection Survey show that the proportion of adults deliberately attempting to get a tan dropped from 15 per cent in 2003/04 to 11 per cent in 2016/17.

However, 66 per cent of adults still said they had tanned skin, with men more commonly reporting having bronzed skin.

Heather Walker, Chair, National Skin Cancer Committee Cancer Council Australia said that the survey showed that while Australians understand the dangers of deliberately tanning, adults still weren’t doing enough to protect their skin from harmful UV.

“Australians seem to be getting the message that there is nothing healthy about a tan – and are no longer lathering up in coconut oil and roasting themselves on the beach, but many adults still have a tan, which is a sign of UV skin damage.

“The most likely culprit is incidental sun exposure as Australians go about their daily activities. We know that less than half (44 per cent) of adults report using sun protection most or all of the time when they are outside for more than 10 minutes during summer.”

Ms Walker said that with two in three Australians expected to be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70 and over 2,000 Australians dying from skin cancer each year, it was important for all Australians to use sun protection whenever UV levels are 3 or above.

“It’s important for us all to remember that sun protection isn’t just needed at the beach or by the pool –you can get a tan from incidental sun damage while you potter in the garden, play cricket in the backyard, go for a walk or work outdoors.

“Don’t use sunscreen alone – slip on clothing, slop on some sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses.

“We also need to remind Australians that it’s UV, not heat that damages our skin. You can get skin damage on a cloudy or cool day if the UV is 3 or above. Download the SunSmart app to check UV levels in your local area.”

Ms Walker said that the latest figures also pointed to the need for renewed Federal Government investment in a mass media skin cancer campaign.

“Melanoma rates are dropping in Australians aged under 40 – but we need to continue to build on this progress by reminding all Australians that every time you tan you increase your skin cancer risk.

“While Australian adults desire for tan has dropped compared to 2003/04, there have been no significant declines in the proportion of adults attempting a tan in our most recent surveys. Progress has stalled and we need to get back on the front-foot reminding Australians of the dangers of UV.

“We haven’t had a national skin cancer campaign in Australia in the last 12 years – now is the time for Government to continue to build on Australia’s skin cancer prevention success story with a renewed campaign to make sure Australians remain vigilant about sun protection.”

*article courtesy of www.cancer.org.au

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is Cancer Council Australia’s most popular fundraising event and the largest, most successful event of its kind in Australia. It is is the easiest way to bring people together to raise funds that will make a big difference to those impacted by cancer.

Hosting a tea is a fun and rewarding way to support the event and help save lives, with more than a million people sipping their way through morning teas at work, school, home and in the community.

Sarah Martin from our front of house team has registered as a host for the Australian Cancer Councils Biggest Moring Tea and staff here at the Ballrat Surgicentre will be participating in this event on both the 21st and 23rd of May.

We hope to raise some money for this worthy cause while enjoying some treats and a cuppa together as a team.

Every dollar raised through Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea helps fund Cancer Council’s life-saving research, prevention, support programs, and information. See below for some of the ways your donations make a difference to those impacted by cancer.

Please stay tuned to see how we went with our fundraiser and to see what other events we have planned for the Ballarat Surgicentre.

$25 – Protects 15 children from potentially harmful sun exposure through our SunSmart school program.

$43 – Pays for a cancer nurse to be available on 13 11 20 for an hour to offer expertise and support to those in need.

$155 – Provides transport and a night’s stay at a local Cancer Council Lodge for people who need to travel for vital cancer treatment.

$510 – Helps provide annual training to Support Group Volunteers so they can offer ongoing emotional and practical support to those impacted by cancer.

$1,000 – Pays for an analysis of two gene samples for a research project, helping to progress cancer research.

Daffodil Day Appeal

This week at Ballarat Surgicentre…
We are supporting the Cancer Council’s Daffodil Day Appeal. We have added a splash of yellow around Admin and have donation tins available if you wish to participate and contribute.

Winter in Ballarat

Even though winter is upon us, its important to be aware of what the UV index is in your area.
The importance of wearing a high protection sunscreen is just as important now as it is during the warmer months.
To check UV levels and the times sun protection is required, look at the UV Index in the weather section of your daily newspaper, on the Bureau of Meteorology website or download Cancer Council’s free SunSmart app to your mobile device. When UV levels are below 3 no UV Alert is issued