Vitality Brands: How schools can play a role in reducing skin cancer risk

Spending time outdoors is part of every school day. Between recess, lunch, sport, and moving around the grounds, students and staff spend significant time outside throughout the year.

In Australia, that also means exposure to some of the highest ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels in the world. Research shows UV exposure during childhood and adolescence can significantly increase the risk of skin cancer later in life. This makes schools a critical setting for promoting sun safe behaviours and protecting young people from future harm.

Is your school prepared to manage UV exposure?

Schools can reduce UV-related health risks with a comprehensive approach to sun protection for students and staff. Key measures include protective clothing, hats, sunscreen, shade, and, where appropriate, UV-protective sunglasses whenever the UV Index is forecast to be three and above.

Practical strategies include:

• Requiring broad-brimmed, bucket, or legionnaire hats to shield the face, ears, neck, and scalp.
• Adopting uniforms or dress codes with greater skin coverage, such as collared shirts, elbow-length sleeves, and longer shorts, skirts, and dresses.
• Encouraging everyone to apply SPF 50 or 50+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen before outdoor activities, reapplying every two hours (or more often if sweating or swimming).
• Factoring shade into outdoor events, lessons, and sport, and encouraging its use.
• Teaching students about UV safety and sun protection.

Additional resources to support your school

Cancer Council offers free tools to help schools manage UV exposure.

SunSmart Global UV App: UV radiation cannot be seen or felt, and harmful levels can occur even on cool or overcast days. The free SunSmart Global UV app gives live UV readings and daily sun protection recommendations for your location, helping staff plan outdoor activities more safely.

Learn more: UV Index | Cancer Council Australia

SunSmart UV Widget: Schools can also display current UV levels and recommended protection times on their website using the free SunSmart UV Widget, keeping the whole school community informed.

Learn more on the Cancer Council Australia webpage CCA SunSmart page.

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