Student Support

Health Tips              

It is summer, the sun is hot and strong. 

We have our school swimming sports coming up and we want to remind all about sun protection. Let’s be Sun Smart at school and especially at our swimming carnival. We recommend all to don some sunscreen, pack some in your bag, make sure you have a great sun hat. And when the index hits 3, cover up from UV.

Myths about sun protection

It is not possible to get sunburnt on windy, cloudy or cool days.

FALSE

You can get burnt on windy, cloudy and cool days. Sunburn is caused by UV radiation, which is not related to temperature – a cooler or windy day in summer will have a similar UV index to a warmer day. If it’s windy and you get a red face, it’s likely to be sunburn.

Check the SunSmart UV Alert every day and protect your skin. 

When the index hits 3, cover up from UV.

https://www.sunsmart.com.au/resources/sunsmart-app

People with olive skin are not at risk of skin cancer.

FALSE

People with olive skin can get skin cancer too. Regardless of skin type, if you spent your childhood in the sun without adequate protection you are at higher risk of developing skin cancer than someone who grew up with good sun protection. People who tan easily or are naturally dark skinned have a lower risk than people with fair skin that burns easily, but they are still at risk of skin damage and skin cancer. 

Skin cancer occurs when skin cells are damaged and grow uncontrollably.

The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main cause of skin cancer.

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. More than two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime.

The good news is that using sun protection will cut your risk of skin cancer at any age, no matter if you are 6, 16 or 60 years old. And most skin cancers can be successfully treated if found early.

https://www.sunsmart.com.au/skin-cancer

There’s more to sun protection than sunscreen

Protect yourself in five ways:

Slip on sun protective clothing

Slop on SPF30+ sunscreen

Slap on a broad-brimmed hat

Seek shade

Slide on wrap-around sunglasses

For more information: SunSmart: Prevent skin cancer & sunburn