I helped my school to become SunSmart. It was really quick and easy to join. Now every morning when I drop my kids off at the school gates, I have peace of mind that they won’t get burnt.” Christine Abel, P&C President (2009) Lane Cove West Public School
Do you have young children or grandchildren? Are you concerned about protecting them from exposure to UV radiation? If you answered yes then we call on you to take action and join us in speaking out.
Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. There is convincing evidence that sun exposure in childhood and adolescence is a major risk factor towards developing skin cancer later in life. The good news is that most skin cancers are preventable, which is why Cancer Council developed the SunSmart Programs.
Cancer Council’s SunSmart Program is a successful national skin cancer prevention program that supports childcare services and schools to reduce children’s exposure to UV radiation and therefore reduce their risk of skin cancer later in life. Childcare and primary schools are important settings for promoting positive sun protection behaviour and have the potential to make a significant contribution to reducing the future risk of skin cancer of children in their care. Children are in care 5 days a week and are often playing outdoors when UV radiation levels are high. The SunSmart Program aims to increase the proportion of staff, students and families adopting safe sun protection measures by increasing their awareness of skin cancer and maintaining their commitment to sun protection. The SunSmart Program assists schools and childcare services to review their sun protection strategies and develop these into a comprehensive sun protection policy.
If you have young children or grandchildren, then ensure your childcare service or primary school is doing all it reasonably can to protect your children and others from exposure to UV radiation. Examples of how you can do this are to:
- check to see if your child’s school or childcare service is ‘SunSmart’ – they will display a ‘SunSmart’ sign.
- advise your child’s school or childcare service that you’d like them to join the SunSmart Program
- register your interest in working with Cancer Council NSW more closely on this issue
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Do you have your own idea to promote, mobilise and take action on this issue? Please contact your local Cancer Council NSW office to discuss your ideas and the support they may be able to offer.
Cancer council NSW can provide all the tools and materials needed to advocate for the SunSmart Program. See below for a list of some of the resources that may help you take action on this issue.
Want more information or help on working on this issue? Contact us
