We work with strategic partners to motivate New Zealanders to protect themselves from harmful exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and to support the early detection of skin cancer.
Skin cancer is by far the most common cancer affecting New Zealanders. We also have the highest rates of melanoma skin cancer in the world. It has been estimated that the different types of skin cancer together account for just over 80% of all new cancers diagnosed each year.
Around 90% of melanoma skin cancers are preventable by reducing exposure to UVR that causes harm.
Our work focuses on motivating higher risk groups to protect themselves from UVR and to support the early detection of skin cancer. These include people who socialise outdoors and outdoor workers.
Increasing knowledge of the risks (and benefits) of UVR among the public, health professionals and policy makers is a key priority for us.
We have gathered data on New Zealanders’ attitudes, behaviour and knowledge regarding sun exposure through both the Health and Lifestyles Survey (every two years) and the Sun Exposure Survey (every three years until 2016).
We encourage SunSmart behaviours in our communities.
We have SunSmart resources that you can share with your community including your medical practice, whānau/family, workplace, sports club, community group, or school.
To help support the early detection of skin cancer we organise conferences. In 2018 we supported the seventh NIWA UV Science Workshop and, in November, the fifth Melanoma Summit in New Zealand. Both these conferences are meetings for science and health professionals with an interest in UVR and/or skin cancer.
We work with community organisations and primary health care organisations to help deliver messages encouraging those most at risk of developing skin cancer (males aged over 50 years) to check their skin regularly.
Our work focuses on motivating high risk groups (people who socialise outdoors and outdoor workers) to protect themselves from exposure to UVR that causes harm.
This includes activities encouraging people to employ SunSmart behaviours (Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap) and promotion of UVR information, for example through the Sun Protection Alert.
Our latest online video encourages you to protect yourself while outside from September to April, when UV levels are most dangerous, by using the SunSmart behaviours.
