Experts are warning Brisbane families that winter sun can be deadly with new research showing one in two people don't slop on sunscreen when the mercury drops.
On the eve of the first day of winter, leading corporate skin cancer awareness campaigner Suncorp and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) are urging Queenslanders to be vigilant about sun protection all year round, not just in summer.
Preliminary findings from a QIMR survey of more than 3000 Brisbane office workers show 55% of people admitted to rarely or never wearing sunscreen when outdoors in winter. This figure dropped to 16% in summer.
The survey also revealed about one in five people believed they needed 30 minutes or more of sunlight in the colder months to get the required amount of Vitamin D - yet recommendations are that in the middle of the day people only need about 11 minutes of sunlight to obtain their required dose.
"Many Queenslanders would probably be surprised to learn that it can take as little as 15 - 30 minutes to burn in winter," QIMR's Rachel Neale said.
"We need to break the mindset that we only need to protect ourselves from the sun when we feel hot," Dr Neale said.
"While Ultra Violet Radiation (UVR) levels are less intense during winter, they're still high enough to cause serious sunburn without adequate protection. People in Queensland often spend more time in direct winter sunlight doing things like gardening, playing sport or spending time outdoors with the kids, because they don't feel like they're burning.
"But sunburn, whether it happens in winter or summer, puts people at risk of skin cancer."
Every day about seven Queenslanders are diagnosed with melanoma - the deadliest form of skin cancer. In 2006 melanoma claimed the lives of 229 Queenslanders*.
Suncorp and QIMR took their year-round skin cancer prevention message to the Wests Brisbane Junior Rugby League Club at Bardon today where they launched a new scheme targeting sporting clubs and community groups called ‘Project Protect'.
Rugby league great and Suncorp SunWise Ambassador Shane Webcke said Queenslanders' love of sport - as players and spectators - exposed them to the damaging effects of the sun for sometimes hours on end with little protection.
"When you're running around playing sport, during training or a game, you don't feel like you're getting burnt like you do when you're standing or sitting still. But you can't outrun the sun," Mr Webcke said.
"Sporting clubs and community groups have an important role to play in encouraging sun safety in young players. But many clubs, particularly those run by volunteers, have stretched resources," he said.
"That's why Suncorp is stepping in to help by giving away a year's supply of sunscreen and wall-mounted sunscreen stand to 100 sporting clubs and community groups across the state.
"We need to make sun protection as routine as kids wearing mouth guards to protect their teeth on the footy field, or a helmet when riding."
Skin cancer prevention is a message that is close to the heart of the burly league legend, with his mother and wife both experiencing close brushes with skin cancer.
"Having experienced skin cancer on such a personal level, my wife and I don't let our kids out of the house without a hat or sunscreen on. On the footy field we also make sure our little bloke is well covered at training and during games."
To apply for the Suncorp SunWise Project Protect visit www.suncorp.com.au/sunwise. Applications close on Friday July 10.
Suncorp has been a major sponsor of the skin cancer research laboratories at QIMR since 2004 and has raised more than $1.1 million to help make significant discoveries in the fight against skin cancer.
* Cancer in Queensland, Incidence and Mortality 1982-2006, Queensland Cancer Registry, Cancer Council Queensland, January 2009.
Media contact:
Justine Nolan, Sequel Communications, ph: 3251 8128 or 0403 090 914
About Suncorp
Suncorp is one of Australia and New Zealand's largest diversified financial services providers, supplying banking, insurance and wealth management products to around 7 million customers through well-established and recognised brands such as AAMI, Australian Pensioners Insurance Agency, Shannons, Vero, Asteron, Tyndall, Suncorp and GIO. Today Suncorp is Australia's fifth largest bank and second largest domestic general insurance group, with over 16,000 staff. Suncorp has representation in 450 offices, branches and agencies throughout Australia and New Zealand.
About QIMR
QIMR is one of Australia's largest and most successful medical research institutes. Our researchers are investigating the genetic and environmental causes of more than 40 diseases as well as developing new diagnostics, better treatments and prevention strategies. The Institute's diverse research program extends from tropical diseases to cancers to indigenous health, mental health, obesity, HIV and asthma.