Dark side of tanning

If you think tanning gives you a healthy glow, think again.

• Tanning and sunburn are skin cells in trauma.
• One damaged skin cell can start a melanoma growing.
• A melanoma need only be 1mm deep to spread to other parts of the body.

Even if a melanoma is cut out, it can appear months or years later, often in your lung, liver or brain.

View the 30 second TVC

View the 30 second TVC

The Dark side of tanning campaign aims to reach young people and to hit home about the dangers of overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, while busting some common myths about skin cancer.

Skin cancer can be prevented by protecting the skin from UV radiation.  Yet, malignant melanoma is the most common cancer among Australians aged between 12 and 24.¹

Research reveals that many young Australians hold incorrect beliefs and perceptions about skin cancer and sun protection.

The Dark side of tanning campaign aims to:

1. increase understanding of the severity of melanoma
2. reduce pro-tanning attitudes
3. increase understanding of the risks of unsafe exposure to the sun
4. increase the number of people frequently using a range of sun protection measures, not limited to sunscreen

There is no such thing as a safe tan - whether from the sun or a solarium.

The Dark side of tanning campaign was developed by the Cancer Institute NSW. 

Skin cancer - facts and figures

• Adolescence and childhood are critical periods during which exposure to UV radiation is more likely to contribute to skin cancer in later life.²
• Young people in Australia have by far the highest incidence of melanoma in the world, compared with adolescents in other countries.³
• In Victoria, nearly 20% of all cancers in 15-24-year-olds are melanomas and that doesn't even take into account non-melanoma skin cancer.
• Skin cancer is largely preventable by protecting the skin from overexposure to UV radiation.  You don't have to burn to cause damage to your skin cells.⁴

Find out more about the five steps for sun protection, solariums and tanning and vitamin D.

Get into checking the daily UV levels.

View other SunSmart campaigns.

References:

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).  Young Australians:  Their health and wellbeing 2007.  AIHW cat.no. PHE 87.  Canberra:  AIHW2007.  Available from www.aihw.gov.au
2. Armstrong BK.  How sun exposure causes skin cancer:  An epidemiological perspective.  In:  Hill D, Elwood JM, English DR, (Eds).  Prevention of Skin Cancer.  Dordrecht, The Netherlands:  Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2004, pp. 89-116
3. Stiller CA.  International patterns of cancer incidence in adolescents.  Cancer Treatment Reviews 2007; 33 (7): 631-645
4. Raab WP.  Photodamaged skin: A medical or a cosmetic concern?  Journal of International Medical Research 1990; 18 (Suppl 3): 2c-7c.

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