Fed: Teenagers ignoring sun safe message

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-2001
Fed: Teenagers ignoring sun safe message

CANBERRA, Dec 31 AAP - Teenagers were ignoring the slip, slop, slap message and risking
developing skin cancer, Health Minister Kay Patterson said today.

It was important all Australians took appropriate precautions to protect themselves
from the harmful effects of the sun during the summer holidays, Senator Patterson said.

"According to the New South Wales Cancer Council, it is estimated that two out of three
people born or who spent their childhood in Australia will develop some form of skin cancer,"

she said in a statement.

"Most damage to the skin leading to skin cancer is done during childhood and unprotected
exposure in the first 15 years of life more than doubles the chances of getting skin cancer
later in life."

While the Slip, Slop, Slap and SunSmart skin cancer prevention campaigns were relatively
successful, particularly with older people and young children, teenagers were largely
ignoring the messages.

"There is evidence that teenagers engage in sun protective behaviour less often than
older people," Senator Patterson said.

"They are more likely to wear briefer clothing than older people and less likely to wear hats.

"I ask all Australians, particularly teenagers, to protect themselves against the sun
this summer holidays."

There are about 270,000 new cases of skin cancer each year and 1,300 deaths from the disease.

AAP eg/kmh/cjh/sb

KEYWORD: SUN

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