Sun safety and skin cancer
The Queensland sun can be harmful at all times of year and in all types of weather—you can get sunburnt from as early as 7am.
You can be exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the sun through everyday activities like walking to the shop, waiting for the bus and hanging out washing. This exposure can add up and increase your risk of developing skin cancer.
Skin cancer is a serious disease that can cause disfigurement or death, but reducing the risk is easy.
- Learn about ultraviolet radiation (UVR), the part of sunlight that causes skin damage. The ultraviolet index (UVI) is how we measure the sun's ultraviolet strength.
- Remember to use the 5 ways to be sun safe—shade, clothing, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen—whenever the UVI is 3 or higher
- Find out about the types of skin cancer
- Check your skin regularly. Finding skin cancer early gives you the best chance of having it treated successfully
- Understand the sun safety myths and facts
- Get information about artificial tanning—it exposes your skin to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), just like the sun
- Watch interviews with people who have personal experience with skin cancer—it can affect anyone.
