Concerns about sun exposure among WA teenagers

18/11/96

Teenagers are still taking risks with the sun even though they know more about the dangers of skin cancer than any other age group in Australia.

Education Minister Colin Barnett said today that sun safety programs in Western Australian Government primary schools had been enormously successful with more than 90 per cent implementing a 'no hat, no play in the sun' rule.

There had also been progress at the secondary level with 61 per cent of schools introducing a sun protection policy.

However, Mr Barnett said the Cancer Foundation was still concerned about the amount of sun exposure among Western Australia's youth.

He was speaking at the launch of the new Me No Fry Sun Protection teaching resource for secondary schools, as part of the National Skin Cancer Action Week. The kit for teachers includes a video, lesson material and detailed information on sun protection policy development.

The Minister said protection from the sun was an important issue for the whole community in WA, which had the second highest incidence of skin cancer in Australia.

"Schools play an important role in promoting and educating youth about sun protection, and they need support from the community for this to be effective," he said.

The 'Me No Fry' project of the Cancer Foundation, funded by Healthway, was aimed specifically at encouraging teenagers to take more care in the sun.

"While statistics show that 90 per cent of schools teach skin cancer prevention as part of the year eight or nine health education programs, many students unfortunately do not appear to be taking the information they receive seriously," Mr Barnett said.

"The 'Me No Fry' teaching resources will be a valuable tool for teachers, because they have been specifically designed to appeal to young teenagers."

The Minister said the 1994 Child Health Survey had demonstrated that 54 per cent of 12-to-16-year-olds in WA said they always, or nearly always covered up when in the sun, but almost 60 per cent still suffered some degree of sunburn.

"It is time to give more encouragement to young people to turn their knowledge about sun protection into action," he said.

"At a primary school level, with 91 per cent of schools using a 'no hat, no play in sun' policy, children seem to be less affected by peer pressure on what is fashionable.

"Many children in the younger age groups are wearing UV ray-resistant clothing and bathers as well as broad-brimmed hats.

"It is important that we encourage teenagers to do the same."

During the launch students from Belmont Senior High School paraded in the latest teenage sun protection fashions.

Mr Barnett said the Cancer Foundation recommended that schools be encouraged to:

·       teach about sun protection in terms one and four every year;

·       have written policies on sun protection, including the wearing of hats and long sleeves and the use of sunscreens;

·       timetable physical education before 11 am wherever possible; and -

·       develop shade guidelines.

The Minister said the Education Department had developed sun protection guidelines in 1994 in collaboration with the Cancer Foundation, other agencies and parents.

"The department is also recommending to the Curriculum Council that sun protection information be a mandatory part of future health and physical education curriculum materials," he said.

"In addition, sun protection information has been provided to health and physical education teachers and swimming instructors in training programs."

The department found that the most effective approach to sun protection was through schools electing to become a 'health promoting school'.

"A health promoting school ensures that all students have health education lessons that include sun safety, and these are complemented by overall school policies and practices, developed in co-operation with parents and the community," Mr Barnett said.

Media contact: Justine Whittome (09) 222 9699