SunSmart gives Victorians something to sing about
14 September 2008
Slip! Slop! Slap!, the catchy slogan which has formed the backbone of SunSmart's sun protection campaigns since the eighties, is being updated as evidence shows there's more to sun protection than slipping on a shirt, slopping on sunscreen and slapping on a hat.
The words Seek and Slide have been officially added to the list of sun protection behaviours and SunSmart is urging Victorians to also Seek shade and Slide on some sunglasses from September to the end of April, the period when UV levels can be strong enough to damage skin and eyes and lead to skin cancer.
To help educate children on all five sun protection measures, SunSmart today launched its new song, Sunsmart Countdown. Sung by popular children's singer, Justine Clarke, the song is being sent to all SunSmart schools and early childhood services across Victoria.
SunSmart school and early childhood members are being invited to take part in a singing competition using the lyrics, with the winner announced in National Skin Cancer Action Week in November.
SunSmart's program manager, Ms Sue Heward, said work was already being done to educate adults on the two new sun protection measures but that a novel approach was needed for children.
"We know the Slip! Slop! Slap! message is ingrained in the psyche of most Victorian adults and we are building on this in current and future campaigns by adding the two additional messages. But it's important we instill SunSmart habits in children as sun protection, particularly during childhood and adolescence, is a key factor in helping to minimise the risk of skin cancer", said Ms Heward.
The Cancer Council said strong evidence shows shade and correct eyewear are equally important parts of the sun protection message.
John Greenwood, an architect and shade consultant to the Cancer Council Victoria said, "Shade alone can reduce overall exposure to UV radiation by up to 75%*, so it really should be the first line of defence, especially when people are outdoors. This is particularly important for infants and children because UV exposure in the early years has a significant impact on the likelihood of developing skin cancer later in life."
Shirley Loh from the Optometrists Association Australia said, "Exposure of the eyes to UV radiation can cause both short-term effects including corneal sunburn, sore, watery eyes and blurry vision as well as long-term ocular damage such as development of cataracts, and cancer of the eye surface and eyelids. Sunglasses should be a close fitting, wrap around style that covers as much of the eye area as possible. They should also meet the Australian Standard 1067 categories, 3, 4 or 5 in order to provide good protection from UV radiation."
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