Local centres:
UV protection
Northland's high UV levels places a huge burden on our communities both personally and financially. Non-melanoma skin cancers are common in Northland and our rates of melanoma are significantly higher than the national average (727 melanoma registrations alone since 2000).
Skin cancers are by far the most common, costly and potentially the easiest to prevent through some simple changes in behaviour, with almost all cases being caused by unsafe exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Cancer Society Northland places a high priority on working with our community to reduce risk in this area.
SUNSMART SCHOOLS ACCREDITATION PROGRAMME
This online programme is straightforward, applications can be completed at www.sunsmartschools.co.nz and the Cancer Society Health Promoter can support this process if required.
The programme assists schools with tools for developing comprehensive SunSmart policy, guidelines for developing shade within the school environment and curriculum based resources to support teaching and learning.
Across Northland there are currently 31 accredited schools and a further 17 currently working towards accreditation.
SUNSMART WORKPLACES
Businesses that have a high proportion of outdoor workers are offered support to develop policies and workplace practices aimed at protecting their staff from high UV exposure.
Organisations that the Cancer Society Northland has worked successfully with in this area are Golden Bay Cement, the Northland Fire Service and Northland Regional Council
SUNSMART SPORTS CLUBS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS
Sports club, community groups and event organisers are offered support to develop a SunSmart policy for their event.
Cancer Society Northland has worked successfully with several sporting event organisers including the annual Fred Ogle Memorial Cycle Tour and Bay of Island Fishing Tournament.
COMMUNITY SHADE PROGRAMME
Cancer Society Northland encourages the provision of shade by organisers of outdoor events over the summer months and during peak UV hours of 10am - 4pm.
Canopies are available to borrow through Northland District health Board Public Health Unit, Whangarei and Sport Northland across Whangarei, Dargaville, Mid North and Far North.
SOLARIA PROJECT
Research has shown that UV exposure via solaria (sun beds) is a more dangerous carcinogenic than that gain by exposure to the sun. It is more concentrated and the individual receives a higher dose in a shorter time.
Cancer Society Northland together with Northland District Health Board Public Health Unit carried out a research and education programme that looked at solaria providers across Northland to ascertain the level to which they were meeting the Australasian Standards.
