For the third year in a row, Bellingen and Urunga golf clubs are partnering with Cancer Council NSW to encourage their members to reduce their skin cancer risk by using sun protection every time they play.
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The initiative, called “Improve Your Long Game”, puts information and free sunscreen pump stands at the clubhouse and on the course, with a reminder for golfers to apply and re-apply sunscreen
It runs across the hot summer months of January to March.
Brenna Smith, Cancer Council NSW Community Engagement Manager said, “Men over the age of 40 are 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma, and around twice as likely to die from it, compared to women of a similar age.
“Recreational golfers spend extended periods of time outdoors in an environment that has minimal shade and is highly reflective of UV from surrounding surfaces like grass, sand and water. Unprotected sun exposure puts them at high risk of sunburn, skin damage and skin cancer.
“Improve Your Long Game reminds men that it’s never too late: using sun protection at any age reduces the risk of melanoma and when you’re older it will reduce any further damage occurring. Skin cancer is preventable through easy steps like applying and reapplying sunscreen, wearing a broad brimmed hat, wearing long-sleeved shirts, wearing sunglasses and seeking shade when possible,” said Ms Smith.
In most parts of NSW, UV levels are high enough to require sun protection for most of the year. Cancer Council NSW encourages golfers to wear long-sleeved clothing (slip), apply sunscreen (slop), wear a broad brimmed hat (slap), find shade wherever possible (seek), and wear sunglasses (slide) each and every time they are out on the green.
Bellingen and C.ex Urunga Golf Clubs are two of over 100 clubs across NSW participating in the Improve Your Long Game Program in 2018, and showing commitment to improving the sun safety of their members.
Background:
Australia has among the highest rates of melanoma in the world.
Two in three people (2 in 3 men and 3 in 5 women) who grow up in Australia will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer before the age of 70.
More than 95% of all skin cancers are caused by Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
Men over the age of 40 are more than one and a half times more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma and around twice more likely to die from it than women of similar age.
It’s never too late: you can reduce your risk of developing skin cancer at any age by protecting yourself from the sun through easy steps like applying/reapplying sunscreen, wearing a broad brimmed hat (not a cap), wearing long-sleeved shirts, wearing sunglasses and seeking shade when possible.
Men over 40 are less likely to apply sunscreen and wear a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses than their female counterparts. In NSW, 21% of men report that they never use sun protection compared to 13% of women.
