1. Skin Cancer Prevention strategy
Sun safe behaviours subgroup
Marbeth Ferguson Cancer Focus NI

2. Sun Safe Behaviours Subgroup
Dept of Health (Chair)
Cancer Focus NI
Health Improvement at 5 Health & Social Care Trusts
PPI representation

3. Strategy objectives
Objective 3: To increase individual and organisation-wide practice of sun safety behaviours

4. Influencing attitudes & behaviours
Clear, consistent messages from a range of sources:
Media
Face to face engagement
Information posters etc
Employers
Health & well being professional groups
Education sector
Sports & leisure organisations
baseline assessment of current knowledge of UV exposure, the UV index and sun safety behaviour was conducted in May. There were 355 responses to the online survey. Over 80% of respondents stated that they were aware of the UV Index. However there were mixed responses to more detailed questions, for example about the relationship between temperature and UV index.
Be UV Aware
2017 – UV index meters on loan to stakeholders
2018 – UV index meters, display boards, digital ad campaign

5. UV levels – Cyprus June 2017
N Ireland - temperate climate, very variable weather.
In summer Southern Europe e.g. Cyprus often has  UV index levels 7 and above.

6. UV levels – N Ireland June 2017
In N Ireland temperature can often be 10-15oC lower than southern Europe But can have significant UV levels in spring/summer months

7. Children and young adults

8. Outdoor workers

9. Outdoor sports and leisure
Sun safety /UV awareness information stands at larger public events e.g. Balmoral Show, Garden Show Ireland, Newcastle Festival of Flight.
Focus on participants and spectators key outdoor sporting events/venues e.g. GAA, football, golf, rowing, tennis, cricket. Activities include provision of sun safety/Be UV Aware information, provision of sunscreen, media work with governing bodies
Also provide resources and info sessions at summer schemes for children organised by Councils and sports groups e.g. IFA, GAA, IRFU. In the last 5 years reached over 34,600 participants in summer schemes.

10. Behaviour change? Evidence that people understand the risks
Public attitudes & behaviours recorded via Health Surveys:
Use of sunscreen as the most popular method of sun protection has remained constant at 70% over the 16 year period since 2000.
Those using sunscreen use a product with SPF 15+ has increased from 70% in to 83% in 2016/17
Australian Sun Smart campaign’s work with lifeguards to change behaviours - cover up with hat, sunglasses & shirt and use sunscreen on exposed skin. It took many years (approx 35yrs) of prevention work in Australia to see first impact on incidence – in 2015 a slight reduction in melanoma incidence in the age group and a greater reduction in the 0-39 age group. NZ now has highest melanoma incidence worldwide which may in part be due to less investment in prevention.
What does progress in NI look like? We have evidence that people understand the risks but translation into a change in behaviour is more difficult to effect and demonstrate. Mixed results in relation to public attitudes & behaviours recorded via Health Surveys in 2012/13 and 2016/17:
In 2012/13 45% thought a tan made them feel healthier/more attractive and this increased to around 50% in 2016/17
Use of sunscreen as the most popular method of sun protection has remained constant at 70% over the 16 year period since 2000.
Those using sunscreen use a product with SPF 15+ has increased from 70% in 2008 to 83% in 2016/17
In 2012/13 20% had at least one episode of sunburn in the last year and 43% of 16 to 24 yr olds. In 2016/17 2!% had at least one episode of sunburn in the last year
Use of sunbeds by young people (16-25) has reduced slightly since 2008 from 5% to 4% in 2016/17.

11. THANK YOU! go raibh maith agaibh
thenks