HSBC Waratahs launch skin cancer awareness campaign
» Back to News Listing
Thursday, 13 November 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
The HSBC Waratahs today helped launch the State Government's skin cancer awareness for the summer of 2008/09.
Sam Norton-Knight, Scott Fava and Will Caldwell cover up at training.
Sam Norton-Knight, Scott Fava and Will Caldwell cover up at training.
The media scrum at the Cancer Institute's skin cancer awareness launch
Chief Cancer Officer Professor Jim Bishop (l) and NSW Assistant Health Minister Jodi McKay launch the 2008/09 skin cancer awareness campaign.
The Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Cancer), Jodi McKay, today launched the new $2 million awareness campaign targeting young men prone to deadly melanoma through sun exposure.
"Melanoma is responsible for 30 per cent of all cancers in young people aged 15-30 in NSW, but it's entirely preventable" said Ms McKay. "Young people - particularly young men - love life in our great outdoors. Our message is to be 'sun smart' and if you haven't got sunscreen on, keep your shirt on!
"And I'm delighted the Waratahs have joined me today at this launch in support of the Government's latest melanoma campaign.
"Melanoma is by far the most serious cancer issue affecting our youth, but we can make a difference by getting young people - especially young men - to protect their skin when they're outdoors this summer."
Sam Norton-Knight joined his teammates in coating up in the 30+ sunscreen before hitting the paddock for today's training session.
"We're out training in the sun everyday so it's really important for us to always be wearing sunscreen," said Norton-Knight.
"If there's a message to pass on to everyone it's to cover up with a cap and sunscreen whenever you're outdoors, particularly if you're playing sport."
Ms McKay said the 'Dark Side of Tanning' advertisement, developed by the NSW Government's
Cancer Institute, built on the successful campaign targeting young women which was launched last summer.
"This year, the advertisement features young men on a sports field and shows even people who don't intend to tan are exposed to dangerous ultraviolet radiation if their skin is not protected," said Ms McKay. "It graphically illustrates how a deadly melanoma smaller than a pin-head can spread throughout the body.
"If not detected and treated early, a melanoma no deeper than one millimetre can become an extremely deadly disease, spreading and infecting other organs in the body."
Ms McKay said the Cancer Institute found that after the Dark Side of Tanning aired last summer season, there was a six per cent decline in pro-tan attitudes in NSW.
"Worryingly, it was young people aged 18-24 years who were more likely to be pro-tan," said Ms
McKay. "We all need to get smart when we're outdoors this summer. Protect yourself in five ways, with shade, a shirt, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen."
The Dark Side of Tanning will air across NSW from Sunday, November 16 and continue throughout summer.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT MELANOMA
There were 3559 cases of melanoma in NSW in 2006. In 2008, it's estimated there will be 3922 new cases.
There were 454 deaths from melanoma in NSW in 2006. In 2008, it's estimated there will be 466 deaths.
One in 14 males and one in 23 females will develop melanoma by age 85.
Melanoma rates increased by 18.5 per cent in males and 16.7 per cent in females in the ten years to 2006.