Hot Topics
Gadget Keeps Tabs on UV Rays
"Prevention is better than a cure when it comes to cancer, and two Taranaki girls have had a bright idea to protect people from the sun". To find out about their bright idea, carry on reading here.
Return of sun revives the spectre of a killer
Read this article written by the New Zealand Herald to find out more about how the sun safe message is being promoted to young people.
Midday sun not only concern for eyes
This article describes how it is just as important to protect your eyes from the UV rays in the early morning and late afternoon as it is midday. Click here for the full article.
Melanoma Summit 2013
New Zealand professionals working in melanoma will gather at the Amora Hotel, Wellington on 5 April 2013 for the third national Melanoma Summit. To view the programme , click here.
Registrations are now open. Click here to register.
Special accomodation rates have been negotiated. For more details click here.
Sun safety targeted
Over-exposure to the sun's ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the cause of more than 90 per cent of all skin cancer. But, you don't have to lock yourself indoors, nor cover yourself from head-to-toe. Read the full article.
Member's bill seeks to regulate Sunbeds
Teenagers and fair-skinned adults may be banned from sunbeds under a member's bill which calls for enforced regulations on sunbeds and cosmetic lasers. To read the full Dominon Post article, click here.
Blind to the sun risk for eyes
Click here to read this article found in The Sunday News, which talks about the importance of wearing sunglasses throughout the day and protecting your eyes from UV rays.
On the move against skin cancer
Today marks the launch of the Sunsense UV Photo Bus in Sydney. An Australian initiative showing people damage that is caused by the sun. Click here to read more
Daylight saving heralds start of SunSmart time
The arrival of daylight saving signals that ultraviolet (UV) levels are rising and it’s time for New Zealanders to be SunSmart. Click here to find out more.
Kiwis blasé over sun's deadly rays
The New Zealand Herald has written an article which describes how New Zealander's need to be more assertive when it comes to protecting themselves from the sun.
Click here to read the article and visit our 'Being Sunsmart' page to find out how you can stay safe in the sun.
Sunscreen for you eyes
We are all aware of the dangers of UV and the damage it can cause to your skin. But, what about your eyes?
North Shore Times has written this article. Click here to read it.
New Standard on sunscreen will help protect NZers
A sun protection factor (SPF) of 50-plus is recommended under a new joint New Zealand/Australian Standard. Also, terms such as 'waterproof', 'sunblock' and 'sweat proof' are misleading and will not be permitted.
Consumers still need to be aware that an SPF50+ does not mean you have on a 'suit of armour'. People will still need to apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside and reapply it at least every two hours. Sunscreen alone is not enough – clothing, hats, sunglasses and using shade remain just as important with SPF50+ sunscreen as it was with SPF30+ sunscreen.
Please click here to read more.
"Born"
An American Association of Dermatology campaign targeting young people to stop tanning due to its risks.
First signs of levelling off in incidence trends in melanoma
An IARC paper has recently been released showing that there are signs of a levelling off in incidence trends globally in malignant melanoma in younger generations.
To read more go to http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/iarcnews/pdf/IJC-Melanoma-May2012.pdf
Canada's Enjoy the Skin You're In campaign
On May 7th, 2012 Canada launched a new campaign for youth about the dangers of tanning. The “Enjoy the Skin You’re In” campaign is designed to help raise awareness to the risks of indoor tanning while at the same time promoting positive body image.
Facebook page:
Website:
Check out this cool web application that allows you to see what you might look like with over-exposure to indoor tanning:
Maz Quinn King of the Grom surfing event
The Under Your Skin team will be at Wainui beach in Gisborne on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 April with their UV camera and sunscreen stand. Come along and get your UV pic taken and be in to win some cool spot prizes from Visique, QuickSilver, Roxy and SURFERSSKIN. To find out more about this campaign, visit facebook.com/underyourskinNZ
Daylight saving ends & Sun Protection Alert
On Sunday 1 April, Daylight Saving ends. So remember on Saturday night when you go to bed to move your clocks back an hour. Also, this means that the Sun Protection Alert is no longer operating until Daylight Saving begins again on Sunday 30 September.
Although, you don't need to 'slop' on the sunscreen anymore, you should still use sun protection all year round if:
• you have a history of skin cancer, sun damage, or are taking medicines that affect photosensitivity
• you are at high altitudes or near highly reflective surfaces, such as snow or water.
Leading UK model agencies sign up to 'No Sunbed' policy
Cancer Research UK Press Release
Ahead of London Fashion Week, leading model agencies sign groundbreaking ‘No Sunbed’ policy agreement as part of Cancer Research UK’s R UV UGLY? campaign after warnings on health and appearance.
Young girls and guys looking to become the next Kate Moss or David Gandy, are being urged to stay away from sunbeds. In a groundbreaking act of unity, the UK’s leading model agencies have committed to a ‘No Sunbed’ policy in conjunction with Cancer Research UK’s new campaign, R UV UGLY?, which aims to raise awareness of the dangers of using sunbeds.
Directors of leading agencies, Storm, Elite, Next, Premier Model Management, Models 1, FM, Nevs, Oxygen, Union, First and D1 have all agreed to a zero tolerance policy on sunbed use for all models on their books or those wishing to join.
The ‘No Sunbed’ policy comes as a result of Cancer Research UK’s current R UV UGLY? campaign, which highlights the damage sunbeds can do to both appearance and health. This follows on from last year, when the charity worked with Nicola Roberts to help support new legislation in England and Wales preventing under 18s from using sunbeds.
The move will ensure that any model who uses a sunbed will not be considered for representation by the agency.
Sarah Doukas, Managing Director of Storm Model Management, commented: “Storm Model Management is pleased to support Cancer Research UK’s R UV UGLY? campaign and the No Sunbed Policy for model agencies. Supporting this campaign makes perfect sense as the wellbeing of our models is of paramount importance and we take a serious approach to their health.
"We do not advocate the use of sunbeds for any of our models, and recommend that they choose safer options if they require a tan - spray tans are easy to apply and can last a week. It is well documented that UV from sunbeds can cause serious skin damage, especially in the under 35s.”
Michelangelo Chiacchio, the CEO of Elite Model Management London commented: “The welfare of our models is of the utmost importance to Elite Model Management; therefore we are very pleased to join forces with London’s leading model agencies and Cancer Research UK, to support a ‘No Sunbed’ policy. We hope that this will help to send out a strong message to young girls and guys, that sunbeds will have a negative impact on their appearance.
“We strive to support the health of our models and will never condone the use of sunbeds for any job; instead we will always try to arrange for a spray tan should it be necessary.”
Carole White, Co-Founder of Premier Model Management, echoed this view: "Premier Model Management is pleased to support Cancer Research UK's R UV UGLY? campaign and the 'No Sunbed’ policy for model agencies. We pride ourselves on taking care of our models’ welfare and strongly support the view that models should never use a sunbed. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with all other leading model agencies and Cancer Research UK to say NO to sunbeds."
Using a sunbed for the first time before the age of 35 increases the risk of malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, by 75 per cent.
Research has also shown that using a sunbed once a month or more could increase the risk of melanoma by more than 50 per cent. Melanoma incidence rates in Britain have more than quadrupled over the last 30 years. It is the second most common cancer amongst 15-34 year olds.
Chris Lunn, SunSmart campaign manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “We’re delighted that leading model agencies are backing our R UV UGLY? campaign. Using sunbeds can make your skin coarse, leathery and wrinkly. The UV rays from a sunbed can also damage the DNA in your skin. Over time, this damage can build up and may lead to melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. So, if you feel you must have a tan, it is safer to fake it.”
Cancer Research UK has teamed up with sk:n for the R UV UGLY? campaign to offer the public ‘Two Free Skin Assessments’, that would normally cost £25 each, from now until the end of February 2012. By using the latest high-tech, specialist skin-scanning technology, the consultation will highlight the hidden damage lurking beneath the skin’s surface that is caused by overexposure to UV, both from sunbeds and the sun.
Visit the R UV UGLY page here
Shades for all
New entrants at St Patrick’s Primary School were given a treat this week with a free pair of sunglasses each courtesy of Visique Optometrists. As part of a nationwide campaign to protect young people’s eyesight, Visique gives every new entrant in New Zealand sunglasses to raise awareness of the importance of eye health and eye protection. Photo: Libby O’Brien
World Cancer Day
World Cancer Day takes place every year on 4th February and is the singular initiative under which the entire world can unite together in the fight against the global cancer epidemic.
2012 OBJECTIVES
World Cancer Day 2012 is particularly important as it falls almost half a year after the first UN High-level Meeting on Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and the signing of the Political Declaration supporting prevention and control of these devastating conditions, including cancer.
World Cancer Day 2012 has been themed ’Together it is possible’ because it is only by every person, organisation, government individually doing their part that the world will be able to reduce premature deaths from cancer and other NCDs by 25% by 2025.
Therefore, aligning under the banner of ’Together it is possible’; UICC would like you to support us in using this upcoming milestone to encourage everyone affected by cancer (individuals, civil societies and governments), to ensure that they take responsibility for reducing the burden of this disease.
WHO IS THE AUDIENCE FOR WORLD CANCER DAY 2012?
Everyone! It is only by everyone doing their part that the world will reduce the burden of cancer. Be creative. Please consider how your organisation can reach the public, your local government and other civil society organisations on the occasion of World Cancer Day 2012.
World Cancer Day have created a series of infographics to illustrate the global cancer burden in a visually engaging format. More
BRING YOUR FACE BACK!
This summer, Otago Museum has taken the highlights of last year’s hugely popular summer exhibition, Your Face Here and brought them back – to Discovery World! Would you look better with symmetrical features? What will your face look like when you’re 72?! You’ll discover the attraction of faces once more...and see yourself in ways you’d never imagine.
Take a snapshot of your face at the YourFace photo booths– then discover the science behind faces! Project your face through the years at the ‘Age Your Face’ station, discover what you’d look like with a completely symmetrical face, and merge your looks with others – your family, your friends or even beautiful strangers.
Your Face Here – The Science Edition
Opens Wednesday 21 December
Discovery World
FREE with your Discovery World Tropical Forest admission