Think UV, not heat!

Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world, a preventable disease caused primarily by exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in sunlight. Health promotion strategies play a significant role in sun protection.

To assess the understanding of a population sample as to the time of year that the sun was 'at its most burning' in Melbourne, Australia.

A cross-sectional study was performed using questionnaires completed at corporate skin checks, conducted on 668 participants during 2011 to 2013.

Only a minority (n = 82, 12%) gave the correct theoretical answer; the summer solstice or 21-22 December, while another 38% (n = 254) correctly named December and January as the times when the UVR is actually highest. In all, 18% (n = 122) said February was the month when the temperature is hottest and 170 (25%) either mentioned the period May-August when UVR is negligible in Melbourne or had no idea, including saying 'all year round'. There was no significant difference in this knowledge between different age groups.

One-quarter of participants did not understand that sunburn was related to high levels of UVR, which occur in summer. Almost one-fifth associated the heat of February with the highest UVR. Understanding these concepts is important for Australians residing in cooler parts of southern Australia, as UVR levels may be high and yet the temperature may be relatively cool. There needs to be more emphasis on UVR in sun awareness campaigns to prompt sun-protective behaviour.