THE Rural Doctors Association of Australia is urging people to protect themselves from UV radiation these holidays, as Swan Hill prepares for a hot and sunny week ahead.
Every day during the next week is expected to be sunny and with maximum temperatures of 30 degrees or above.
The hottest day is expected to be on Monday, with a forecast high of 37 degrees.
The RDAA said people should make sure they slap on sunscreen, wear a hat and stay in the shade whenever possible these holidays.
“With the summer holidays continuing in earnest this week, thousands of Australians are taking to their favourite beaches and other holiday spots to relax and have fun,” RDAA president Dr Megan Belot said.
“While getting in that relaxation time is awesome, please don’t relax when it comes to sun safety.”
The RDAA said preventative measures were the best way to avoid skin damage and potentially deadly skin cancers caused by sun exposure.
“No pun intended, but sun damage can be a slow burner health issue,” Dr Belot said.
“The damage can be cumulative and can lead to skin cancer that can become potentially life-threatening in years to come.”
Dr Belot said sun damage could occur very quickly and people did not need to be in the sun all day to sustain damaging sunburn, that could lead to skin cancer.
“Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia…and the main cause is the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation,” she said.
“Excessive UV exposure can also cause premature ageing of the skin as well as eye damage.”
The RDAA said the best way to avoid skin and eye damage due to UV radiation was to wear clothing that covered skin, slop of SPF 30 or higher broad-spectrum, water resistant sun screen, put on a hat, stay in the shade, and wear sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard.
“Importantly, don’t drop your guard as soon as you’re back at work and school after the holidays,” Dr Belot said.
“Keep up the sun protection measures, and check your skin regularly for any new spots or changes in shape, colour or size of existing spots. If you notice anything unusual, see your doctor as soon as possible.”
