Leading Gold Coast surgeon Dr Dilip Gahankari reminds parents about sun safety Summer is upon us and almost all parents are encouraging their kids to get off their iPads and head outside. However, parents in Queensland should be aware that the Sunshine State is also the skin cancer capital of the world. The figures are staggering. Overall, Australia has 48 cases of melanoma per 100,000 people, whilst New Zealand has 50 cases per 100,000. Queensland tips the scales at 71 cases per 100,000. Cancer Council Queensland CEO, Professor Jeff Dunn AO, said the rates in Queensland vastly exceed rates in all other jurisdictions nationally and internationally. “Our climate and demographics make us uniquely vulnerable to skin cancer, necessitating ongoing vigilance in sun protection,” Prof Dunn said. They are figures that leading Gold Coast surgeon and skin cancer specialist Dr Dilip Gahankari says are simply unacceptable. He is urging parents to be sun safe with their kids this summer, or risk lifelong damage. “I think people see the campaigns and know we are addressing the issue so they think it is somewhat under control, but that just isn’t the case,” Dr Gahankari says. “While we are certainly making headway and there is a greater level of awareness, there is still so much complacency around sun protection, particularly here on the Gold Coast. There are around 2,000 deaths from skin cancer in Australia each year. That figure is just too high. Dr Gahankari says that what is most disturbing about the rising rates of skin cancer in Queensland is that so much of it is preventable. “There are really simple steps to follow, such as covering up with protective clothing, wearing a hat and sunscreen, and avoiding prolonged periods of sun exposure,” Dr Gahankari says. “The Cancer Council guidelines say that sun protection is required when the UV Index is three and above. In Queensland, the UV Index is three and above all year round, so we have to be diligent with sun protection every single day, no matter what the season.” Protecting children from the sun is vitally important. Their young skin is particularly susceptible to burning. SUN PROTECTION AND BABIES The Cancer Council suggests the following guidelines for babies and young children: Evidence suggests that childhood sun exposure contributes significantly to your lifetime risk of skin cancer. Cancer Council Australia recommends keeping babies out of the sun as much as possible for the first 12 months. Where this is not possible, parents and carers should minimise exposure by: • Planning the day’s activities outside the middle of the day when UV levels are most intense. • Covering as much skin as possible with loose fitting clothes and wraps made from closely woven fabrics. • Choosing a hat that protects the baby’s face, neck and ears. • Making use of available shade or create shade for the pram, stroller or play area. The material should cast a dark shadow. The baby will still need to be protected from scattered and reflected UV radiation. • Keeping an eye on the baby’s clothing, hat and shade to ensure they continue to be wellprotected. • Applying a broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen to small areas of the skin that cannot be protected by clothing, such as the face, ears, neck and hands, remembering to reapply the sunscreen every two hours or more often it is wiped or washed off. There is no evidence that using sunscreen on babies is harmful, although some babies may develop minor skin irritation. Try sunscreen milks or creams for sensitive skin which are less likely to irritate the skin. As with all products, use of any sunscreen should cease if any unusual reaction occurs. pindaramagazine.com.au Pindara Magazine 47
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Nine
To see the actual publication please follow the link above