Sunbathing is more dangerous than smoking, so why does it not come with a similar health warning?
If you were to ask someone who started smoking in the 1960s or 70s why they do it given the health risks, they may say that the health risks were not known when they became addicted to nicotine and now it’s too hard to stop. It’s an argument which you can sympathise with. Anyone who started smoking much later, say in the 2000s chose to smoke despite more obvious risks. In Australia today, cigarette packaging is emblazoned with health warnings from the Australian Government which means that no one can be in doubt when they have their first cigarette.
According to the Cancer Council, 11,000 Australians were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2014. Around 85% of lung cancer cases are due to smoking.
If you were to talk to someone over the age of 60 about the dangers of getting sunburned and skin cancer, they would in many instances say the something similar. We had no idea about skin cancer, we didn’t use sunscreen or cover up in the sun, we may have applied some coconut oil plus it was fashionable to be tanned when we were growing up.
According to the Cancer Council website, 13,134 Australians were diagnosed with melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. A further 750,000 or so non-melanoma skin cancers that are detected every year in Australia. Around 90% of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers are due to sun exposure.
There is a much better understanding of the dangers of UV exposure in Australia these days and many initiatives have improved the situation. For example, the commercial use of sunbeds were banned in Australia a number of years ago.
Sunscreen is a useful tool for sun protection but it is not supposed to be considered as body armour against the suns harmful UV rays.
Every summer in Australia there are media reports about how sunscreen is not protecting Australians adequately.
Medical experts say that sunscreen should not be relied upon as the first line of defence against sunburn, skin ageing and skin cancer. Dermatologists describe sunscreen as the last resort.
Dermatologists agree that wearing UPF 50+ sun protective clothing and a broad brim sun hat is the best way to prevent sun burn, skin ageing and skin cancer.
Solbari Sun Protection is the leading sun protective clothing brand in Australia with customers in over 60 countries.
Solbari offers an award winning range of UPF 50+ sun protective clothing, broad brim sun hats, UV arm sleeves and sun block umbrellas.
You can find out more about Solbari's certified UPF50+ sun protective range by clicking the links below:
Women UPF50+
Men UPF50+
Sun hats UPF50+
Accessories UPF50+
