- State Government funded Cancer Council campaign
launched to prevent skin cancer - Melanoma is one of the most common cancers
affecting Western Australians - Campaign includes billboards in 16 prominent
locations, including Yagan Square
A summer campaign by
Cancer Council WA, funded by the Cook Government, is being rolled out in a bid
to prevent Western Australians from developing skin cancer.
Western Australia has
some of the harshest levels of ultraviolet radiation in the world, with melanoma
being one of the most common cancers among Western Australians.
Two in three Australians develop
skin cancer during their lifetime. Last year, 1,599 melanoma cases were detected in WA, and 145
deaths were recorded.
The
‘If you could see UV’ campaign reminds our community to protect themselves with
five simple steps:
1.
Slip on protective clothing;
2.
Slop on SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen;
3.
Slap on a wide brimmed hat;
4.
Seek shade; and
5. Slide
on sunglasses
The sun sends out
different types of radiation, including visible light that we see as sunlight,
infrared radiation we feel as heat, and UV radiation that we cannot see or
feel. Your skin cells remember all the UV exposure you receive.
This campaign replaces
invisible ultraviolet radiation rays with images of dangerous arrows,
displaying the important message UV rays can be lethal to your DNA. The campaign
strategy includes billboards in 16 prominent locations around the Perth metropolitan
area, such as Yagan Square and Wellington Street in Perth City, along with a
custom-built bus shelter at Cottesloe Beach.
The second component is a
widespread campaign on radio and audio platforms, through social media
including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, and Google
search and display.
The campaign will run
until 28 February 2026 to coincide with the late spring and summer months, when
UV radiation is most intense, and unprotected skin can be damaged quickly. The
primary target group is Western Australians aged 18 to 45 years.
The SunSmart Global UV
app gives you real-time UV alerts and personalised sun protection advice,
helping Western Australians stay safe in the sun all year round.
Available for free from
the App Store you can search any Western Australian suburb and the SunSmart
Global UV app outlines the local UV index and suggested times to avoid the sun.
UV index over three requires sun protection.
It forms part of the Cook
Government’s commitment to creating healthy communities and boosting the
wellbeing of Western Australians.
The Cancer Council MyUV website
provides a live update on the UV Forecast and SunSmart advice. www.myuv.com.au
Comments attributed to Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton:
“Melanoma is one of the
most common cancers affecting Western Australians, and skin cancer remains
largely preventable if we take the right precautions.
“We’re asking Western
Australians to take care of their skin this summer by following the five key
steps of sun protection: slipping on protective clothing, slopping on
sunscreen, slapping on a wide brimmed hat, seeking shade, and sliding on
sunglasses.
“The Cook Government is
encouraging Western Australians to live healthy, active lifestyles and to be
SunSmart when UV is 3 or above, while participating in the great outdoor
activities we all enjoy.
“The UV Index is a tool
you can use to protect yourself from UV radiation. It indicates the times
during the day that you need to cover up to prevent UV radiation from damaging
your skin.”
