The Cancer Council is urging teens to listen out for its Sun Sound over the Summer holidays to reapply sunscreen while enjoying hot days at Queanbeyan’s Q-One Aquatic Centre.
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Sun Sound is a seven second jingle played hourly during peak swimming hours at beaches and public pools to remind young swimmers to be sun-smart and ensure their skin is safely covered.
The council conducted a national survey with more than 1,000 adolescents and found 38 per cent like to get a suntan.
Community Programs Coordinator with the council in NSW Sally Hudson said this was concerning because this age was particularly susceptible to sun-related cancers.
“The latest evaluations form Cancer Council NSW show that almost 40 per cent of teenagers don’t bring sunscreen with them to the pool or beach during summer,” Mrs Hudson said.
“We know that sun exposure during the first 15 years of life greatly increases the risk of developing skin cancer later in life, and in the Southern NSW region alone it is predicted that 165 people will be diagnosed with melanoma in a single year.”
While the Sun Sound is an effective reminder, Hudson said it was important parents were also active in teaching their children about sun-safety.
“Parents play a strong role in educating their children in sun safety, so ensuring your teenagers have their own tube of sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and sun protective clothing will reduce their risk of getting burnt this summer,” Hudson said.
