The South West community has been urged to take precautions in the sun this upcoming summer.
Cancer Council WA regional education officer Shenae Norris attended Leavers WA celebrations to promote National Skin Cancer Action Week.
Ms Norris said the focus of the week was on role modelling to improve SunSmart behaviour.
“Given that summer is only weeks away, it is a good time to remember the best ways to protect you and your family members from sun,” she said.
“Getting rid of the baseball cap and replacing it with a bucket or broad brimmed hat is an easy way to get much better sun protection.”
A survey conducted by the WA Cancer Prevention Research Unit at Curtin University showed regional parents were significantly better role models for hat wearing than metropolitan parents.
However, data released from the National Sun Protection Survey showed some Australians were confused about sunscreen protection.
Ms Norris said sunscreen offered good protection from damaging UV, however it needed to be used alongside protective clothing, hats, shade and sunglasses.
“We want everyone in the South West region to understand sunscreen is not a suit of armour,” she said.
“You need to use enough sunscreen, apply 20 mins before going out in the sun, reapply every 2 hours and remember to use sun protection when the UV is at 3 or above – think UV not heat.”
To check the UV forecast visit www.myuv.com.au.