What is being SunSmart?

What is being SunSmart?

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the major cause of skin cancer. UV damage also causes sunburn, tanning, premature ageing and eye damage. The good news is you can prevent damage – and skin cancer – by being SunSmart.

Is SunSmart a government Organisation?

Jointly funded by Cancer Council Victoria and the Victorian Government, we are famous for our Slip! Slop!

What times of the day do we need to be SunSmart?

A few minutes of sun exposure mid-morning or mid-afternoon is enough for most Victorians’ vitamin D levels. From May to mid-August in Victoria, UV levels are lower and we tend to spend more time indoors, and cover our skin.

Who is responsible for the SunSmart campaign?

The SunSmart program was officially launched in 1988 when Cancer Council Victoria received funding from the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth). Since 2004, Cancer Council Victoria has been designated a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborative Centre for Ultraviolet Radiation.

What does Slip Slop Slap prevent?

You can stop skin cancer – say: “Slip, Slop, Slap!” The Slip, Slop, Slap slogan has become institutionalised as the core message of Cancer Council’s SunSmart program. The campaign is widely credited as playing a key role in the dramatic shift in sun protection attitudes and behaviour over the past two decades.

Who created Slip Slop Slap?

This was essentially the birth of ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’. Philip Adams, co-owner of a successful advertising agency at the time, was very keen to help. He came up with the concept of the seagull character and wrote the jingle, then brought in Alex Stitt as the animator and Peter Best to compose a jingle.

What time of day is it safe to not wear sunscreen?

between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
To protect against damage from the sun’s rays, it is important to avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest; to wear protective clothing; and to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.

What time of day do I not need sunscreen?

Garshick explains that UV rays are at their strongest between 10am to 4pm This is why experts generally recommend avoiding sun exposure during these peak times. But the potential for getting sunburn at 5 p.m. and after does still exist. “There are still some UV rays being emitted from the sun after 4 p.m.,” she says.

Why do we need to Slip, Slop, Slap?

The Slip, Slop, Slap slogan has become institutionalised as the core message of Cancer Council’s SunSmart program. In 2007, the slogan was updated to Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide to reflect the importance of seeking shade and sliding on wraparound sunglasses to prevent sun damage.

Does Slip, Slop, Slap work?

The slip, slop, slap message is proving to be effective with melanoma rates plummeting in the past 18 years. According to the study published online in the International Journal of Cancer, the rate of melanoma cases has fallen from 25 per 100,000 in 1996 to 14 per 100,000 in 2010 among people aged 20 to 24.

Why is the SunSmart program important in Queensland?

Since 1999, the National SunSmart Program has been recognising Queensland primary schools, OSHC (Outside School Hours Care) and early childhood centres who are leaders in helping to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Childhood sun exposure is an important contributing risk factor in the development of skin cancer later in life.

When did the first SunSmart program start in Victoria?

Cancer Council Victoria and the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) first funded SunSmart in 1988 in Victoria. Programs now operate in each state and territory of Australia by respective Cancer Councils, all using common principles but tailored to jurisdictional priorities. Since the iconic Slip! Slop!

How much money has SunSmart saved in Australia?

SunSmart’s investment in prevention brings considerable human and economic benefits across Australia. The program has generated a $2.30 net saving for every dollar spent, and was rated the second most cost-effective and health-saving intervention by the Victorian Department of Treasury.

How often does Cancer Council Queensland Review SunSmart status?

Your organisation’s SunSmart status will be reviewed every three years. Cancer Council Queensland will send you a reminder to complete the membership form. Mark this date in your calendar and complete the membership form online. For more information about the National SunSmart Program, contact [email protected]