SunSmart Victoria is reimagining the 1980s slogan of ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’ in a modern context within its new phone SunSmart Global UV application.
The app provides worldwide UV levels tailored to each user’s specific location, providing clear guidance on when sun protection is required whether you are working, travelling or being
active outdoors.
Current evidence indicates that personal habits in relation to sun exposure constitute the most important individual risk factor for UV radiation damage.
The 2022 Summer Sun Protection Survey showed that only 54 per cent of Australian adults, including those in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay, used weather forecast information to decide whether they needed sun protection, meaning many people are likely unaware of the daily UV level or sun protection times.
Cancer Council Victoria prevention head Adjunct Associate Professor Craig Sinclair said all Victorians should download the SunSmart Global UV app to identify the UV times of the day that puts them at risk of skin damage.
“We want people to use UV and sun protection times to help guide behaviours, and not to rely on the temperature, as you can’t see or feel UV radiation, the damage is often being done before it is noticed,” he said.
“The new SunSmart Global app should be everyone’s first step towards improving their protection against UV radiation.
“Cancer Council Victoria’s Victorian Cancer Registry showed skin cancer to be the fifth most common cancer in Victoria.”
Developed in partnership with the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), The Bureau of Meteorology (The Bureau) and Deakin University’s Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute (A2I2), the app provides daily sun protection times as well as a seven-day weather and UV forecast.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said it is positive to see years of insight and skin cancer prevention knowledge put into the new app.
“The SunSmart Global UV app is an important tool to address the significant burden of skin cancer in Victoria and improve sun protection habits particularly of Victorian men who are twice as likely to die from melanoma compared to women,” she said.
“It is critical that our community, especially those who spend time outdoors during peak UV periods are reminded of how to reduce their risk and to use sun protection.”
Victorian father of two Keith Short said he had a melanoma removed from his neck following years of playing sport outdoors and is warning other men to use everything they can to prevent skin cancer.
“Growing up I didn’t think about UV, and it was only after having a melanoma removed from my neck that I started to learn more about the harm it causes,” he said.
“For my generation, it is hard to comprehend that even on a cloudy day we can have high UV levels – so I think education is paramount and being able to learn about UV and how to check the level every day on this app is going to be useful for people.
“No matter how old you are, you have to protect yourself as well as your family and I count myself lucky I was diagnosed early and had my melanoma removed when I did.”
Details: www.sunsmart.com.au
