Urgent investment needed in sun safety messaging to reverse New Zealand melanoma trend

Australian research out today attributes a reduction in melanoma in younger people to a successful and well-funded public education programme (Slip, Slop, Slap, Wrap and Seek).

“Skin cancer is largely preventable and most cases are attributed to excess sun exposure. We need serious investment in more education campaigns to reverse this trend” says Mike Kernaghan, Cancer Society of New Zealand Chief Executive.

“The Government only spends $600K on SunSmart messaging per year, yet skin cancers account for more deaths in NZ than the road toll does”

The Cancer Society would like to see a significant budget increase for the Health Promotion Agency to deliver more SunSmart education programmes and for sun safety investment to be prioritised in the Cancer Action Plan.

With summer almost here, the Cancer Society encourages all New Zealanders to protect themselves from the sun by following the SunSmart principles of:

·Slip on a long-sleeved, collared shirt and into shade
·Slop on sunscreen that is at least SPF30+, UVA/UVB broad-spectrum and water resistant
·Slap on a broad-brimmed hat that shades your face, head, neck and ears
·Wrap on close fitting sunglasses.