Out of Sight, Out of Mind: New Research Shows More Than 70% of Aussies Base Sun Protection on Weather, Not UV Risks

In its ninth year, TAL SpotChecker campaign urges Australians to practice sun safety and check themselves out this summer

New research reveals the majority of Australians are skipping sun protection, especially on cloudy days when cancer-causing UV radiation can be dangerously high.

Research commissioned by Australian life insurer TAL as part of its annual national skin safety awareness program, TAL SpotChecker, finds that 72% equate sunny days with higher UV levels, with half of respondents saying they follow sun safety practices on a sunny day but just 6% protect their skin when it is cloudy.

While 89% of Australians are aware of the damage UV rays can do, 43% rarely or never check the UV index and 62% don’t know how to.

Dr Priya Chagan, TAL’s General Manager of Health Services, said common misunderstandings about UV risks mean many Australians are unknowingly exposing themselves to harmful UV radiation.

''This summer don’t let what’s out of sight be out of mind. The vast majority of skin cancers are directly related to skin damage caused by exposure to UV radiation, which can penetrate through clouds and rain. Even on overcast days, UV levels can be extreme so by protecting your skin, especially when UV levels are high, you can reduce your risk of skin cancer."

''Our research shows people often incorrectly associate cloudy days with lower risk of skin damage, with 58% likely to become complacent around sun safety if the weather is overcast or less hot. This misconception means many Australians unintentionally expose themselves to dangerous amounts of UV radiation."

''With the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting a hot, rainy summer for many parts of Australia—conditions linked to high UV levels—we’re concerned that Australians will be left particularly vulnerable to harmful UV levels due to a lack of proactive, preventative skin safety habits."

''Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Australia—about 2 in 3 Australians will develop one. But they’re also the most preventable. It is crucial to always protect our skin from UV, using high-SPF sunscreen, seeking shade where possible, and wearing protective clothing."

Dr Chagan recommends that people check the UV index on a weather app every morning and use more than one type of sun protection when the UV index is 3 or above—the level the Cancer Council of Australia says is high enough to damage unprotected skin.

''Data shows 3 in 5 people spent more than 15 minutes outdoors during peak UV times last spring and summer—there is nowhere in Australia where average UV levels are below 3 during this time of year."

The routine skin safety practices that reduce Australians’ cancer risk

Routinely self-checking your skin for signs of skin cancer is an important tool in early detection.

TAL SpotChecker research shows that year-on-year Australians are slowly becoming more accustomed to self-checks. However, there are still 1 in 5 Australians (19%) who have never self-checked their skin, and 38% who either have not done a check within the last three months or cannot remember when they last did one. The biggest barriers to self-checking are, not really thinking about it (33%); not knowing how to properly check skin (30%); and preferring to see a professional (27%).

Further, nearly half (43%) of respondents hadn’t had a professional skin check in the past two years and 26% have never had one.

''There is an alarming lack of self-checking for skin cancer despite the majority of people (83%) telling us it’s an important part of early detection. 80% are not aware of the “SCAN” method, a simple way to monitor for skin changes,” said Dr Chagan.

The Skin Cancer College of Australasia recommends that once a month Australians use the “SCAN” method to self-check their skin and see a GP if they notice anything different, looking for spots or moles that are:

"Skin cancer is often referred to as 'Australia’s cancer', yet many Australians don’t understand the real risk it poses. Taking control of your health by protecting your skin from UV radiation every day and performing regular self-checks to get familiar with how your skin looks can save your life."

Visit TAL SpotChecker for more information, resources, and self-check guides.

1 Cancer Council NSW

2 7 insights into sun protection behaviours in Australia from new ABS data | Australian Bureau of Statistics

3 UV radiation | National Cancer Prevention Policy Skin Cancer Statistics and Issues | Cancer Council