Health experts are warning Shoalhaven residents to maintain sun protection protocols whenever the UV rating is above three despite the wet and cloudy days forecasted.
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The state government's cancer control agency, the Cancer Institute NSW, have raised concerns that La Nina weather conditions may lead people to put themselves at risk of potentially deadly skin cancer.
With this summer set to be a grey one, Nikki Woolley, Manager of the Skin and Lifestyle Cancer portfolio at the Cancer Institute NSW, said it has never been more important to get the message out that UV radiation, not sunshine, is what can have potentially deadly consequences.
"Illawarra Shoalhaven Central Coast is one of NSW melanoma hotspots, with some of the highest melanoma rates in the state," said Ms Woolley.
"When the UV is three or above, you need to follow the five steps to protect your skin - slip on protective clothes, slap on hat, slop on some 50+ sunscreen, seek shade and slide on some sunnies."
La Nina conditions are due to continue until the end of summer, but Ms Wooley said the following months will still record highest UV periods, which could have a significant impact on their skin cancer risk.
Despite cloudy weather and showers forecast for this weekend in the Wollongong area by the Bureau of Meteorology, the UV rating is set to 'extreme' (11) with sun protection needed from 8.40am to 5pm.
"The lack of sunshine should not be a deterrent to applying high spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen and protecting your eyes with UV graded sunglasses," Ms Wooley said.
"We know that on cloudy days where you can't see the sun's rays or feel the heat, many people believe they are safe from the harmful effects of UV. In fact, even on this week's gloomy days the UV will reach extreme levels."
"Our message is simple, whether the sun is out or not, protect yourself, your children and your loved ones and slip, slop slap to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer."
The Cancer Institute NSW is investing $3.8 million in skin cancer prevention activities this financial year on behalf of the NSW Government.
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