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PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES
SunSmart Schools Accreditation Programme
There is strong evidence that exposure to UV radiation during childhood and adolescence is a risk factor for developing skin cancer later in life. Episodes of sunburn, particularly in childhood and adolescence, also increase the risk of melanoma. In recognition of this, the SunSmart Partnership (comprising the Cancer Society and HSC has identified children under 13 and their caregivers as a target group for skin cancer prevention efforts. A key project aimed at children is the nationally co-ordinated roll out of the Cancer Society’s SunSmart Schools Accreditation Programme among all New Zealand primary and intermediate schools. In SunSmart Week, November 2005 the SunSmart Schools website went live. This provides schools with information and supporting materials to assist them to adopt and implement this programme. Another focus is on encouraging the adoption and implementation of sun protection policies and practices in early childhood education centres (ECEC), with the eventual aim of promoting the SunSmart Accreditation Programme to all centres. Local Councils
The Cancer Society recognises the significant role that local councils can play to increase both individual sun protective behaviour and supportive environments for sun protection. The Local Government Sun Protection Survey conducted in 2004 by the Social and Behavioural Research in Cancer Unit at Otago University indicates that most councils would like assistance to adopt sun protection policies. The Local Councils Project aims to provide information, strategies and resources to Cancer Society health promoters to support their local councils to increase their adoption of sun protection policies and practices.
Outdoor Workers and Sun Protection Project
Excess and harmful solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure represents a significant workplace hazard for outdoor workers. In recognition of this, one of the SunSmart Partnership’s (Cancer Society and HSC) key objectives for skin cancer control is to help reduce the risk of excess solar UV exposure among outdoor workers, including through increasing the proportion of sun protective outdoor work environments. In 2003-4, research funded by the Cancer Society (Wellington Division) and Auckland University, and carried out in collaboration with the Social and Behavioural Research in Cancer Unit, Otago University, was undertaken to examine outdoor workers’ perceptions of non-melanoma skin cancer risk. The study found that workers’ perceived workplace risk priorities and relative lack of concern about sun protection indicated a need to design interventions to operate within existing workplace structures and networks. In 2004, the Cancer Society also made a submission to the Department of Labour on the Department’s Workplace Health and Safety Strategy for New Zealand to 2015 regarding the need for strengthened regulations to limit the UV exposure of the outdoor workforce. The Society is currently planning further advocacy work in this area in conjunction with the Department of Labour. Skin Cancer Early Detection Group
As many will be aware, New Zealand melanoma incidence and death rates are among the highest in the world. Since the publication in 1993 of a Cancer Society/Department of Health plan of action, the Cancer Society and a range of health professionals have actively promoted skin cancer prevention and early detection, including melanoma, through a range of strategies. Such efforts are likely to have contributed to melanoma death rates becoming stable in New Zealand, despite a rising increase in the number of melanomas being diagnosed. According to recent research cited in The New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy, interventions to promote the early detection of melanoma may have the potential to reduce deaths from melanoma. The question arises, however, as to which interventions are the most likely to have the greatest effect in preventing deaths. Recognising the importance of this question, the SunSmart partnership (the Cancer Society of New Zealand and the HSC), with funding from the Ministry of Health, has established an Early Detection Advisory Group comprised of relevant experts and representatives of professional organisations and key stakeholder groups. The representative/expertise membership includes the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, the New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgeons, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, the New Zealand Dermatological Society, the New Zealand Guidelines Group, the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, the Ministry of Health and the SunSmart partnership, as well as expertise in Maori health, epidemiology, consumer issues, health promotion and social and behaviour research. The role of the advisory group is to review the 1993 plan of action, assess what has taken place to implement its recommendations and identify future evidence-based policy and strategies for the early detection of skin cancer, particularly melanoma. The group is expected to meet 3-4 times between October 2005 and June 2006, with a final report due later in the year. The group’s advice is likely to identify not only the most effective strategies for early detection activities, but also areas for ongoing monitoring and research. Communications Campaign
A range of activities takes place within this campaign, which seeks to:
The key audience is children 12 and under and their caregivers; recently there has been more of a focus on caregivers (as recommended by the research) as they tend to protect children well, while neglecting their own protection. A key focus for communications is SunSmart Week, which takes place during the second full week of November and is used to prompt positive behaviour change as summer approaches and risks from UVR increase.
Community Mobilisation
The Cancer Society works with the HSC to help mobilise communities to own and address sun protection. This is done through building relationships in key settings, and providing support and advice to promote the sun safety messages. It seeks to:
This includes a continued relationship within key settings and activities, such as the Surf Life Saving NZ relationship that help promote sun safety in beach settings, and a range of other organisations that influence summer sport and recreation settings. |
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| info@cancernz.org.nz | 64 4 494 7270 | © Cancer Society of New Zealand 2004 |