Students are in school when ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels are at their peak, meaning schools are uniquely placed to educate about sun protection behaviour and reduce the risk of skin cancer by becoming SunSmart.
Cancer Council Australia launched the national SunSmart Schools program in 1998. The program has grown rapidly and there are now more than 2500 SunSmart schools and 3500 SunSmart childcare centres across the country.
In order to become recognised, schools must:
- have a written sun protection policy meeting minimum standards relating to curriculum, behaviour and the environment;
- be working to increase shade and reschedule outdoor activities to lower UV times of the day; and
- teach children about sun protection.
Evidence suggests that childhood exposure to UV radiation contributes significantly to the development of skin cancer in later life. Educating school children and reducing their sun exposure is expected to have a major impact on the future incidence of skin cancer.
More information about the SunSmart Schools program is available from the SunSmart website of your state or territory Cancer Council.
Resources for schools
State and territory SunSmart websites:
Real stories about skin cancer and sun damage
A valuable new teaching resource from the Cancer Council educates secondary students about the dangers of skin cancer and the importance of skin care. The package includes a teachers’ guide and a DVD that examines the main issues relating to young people and skin cancer.
The Real stories about skin cancer and skin damage package will help secondary students understand the risks of tanning and of getting burnt by the sun and solariums. It will encourage young people to examine their own attitudes about tanning and skin cancer and to understand the need for SunSmart behaviour now in order to prevent cancer later in life.
The DVD contains news items of varying lengths from TV programs such as 60 Minutes, the 7.30 Report and short news bulletin items. Also included is the story of young Melbourne woman, Clare Oliver, who was diagnosed with melanoma at the age of 22 and who died four years later in 2007.
Tattoo: a sun protection resource
Tattoo: a sun protection resource is aimed at secondary school teachers of: health and education; media studies; English; and personal development/pastoral care and is based on the latest television advertisement Skin cancer – It’s killer body art.
It has been developed in response to evidence that an increasing number of young Australians want a tan and incorrectly believe a tan helps to protect them from sun damage and skin cancer.
For further information on Tattoo: a sun protection resource contact your state or territory Cancer Council.
Sunburnt Country: 60 Minutes program (Channel 9)
Sunburnt Country was produced by the Channel 9 60 Minutes program in 2005. It examines the many issues related to young people and skin cancer and is aimed at secondary students.
An accompanying teacher guide includes notes, a worksheet for students and discussion questions.
Reproduced with the kind permission of 60 Minutes, the DVD is available free of charge to secondary schools. Contact your state or territory Cancer Council for further information or to order the resource.
UV risk reduction: a planning guide for secondary school communities
UV risk reduction: a planning guide for secondary school communities is a guide to assist in the development and implementation of sun protection policies or plans in secondary schools. It provides practical and realistic strategies to help protect students and staff from the harmful effects of UV radiation.
Please click here to download the publication.