Slip, slop, slap and slide is the message as UV levels remain high across the region

By Shepparton News

Nov 20, 2022

**Slip, Slop, slide and slap:** SunSmart has urged people to still take precautions even though grey weather is coming across the region. Photo by Getty Images

SunSmart urges people not to be fooled by the grey skies in the coming days as UV levels are still remaining high across the Goulburn Valley.

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According to SunSmart, Victoria in 2020 had 2582 newly diagnosed cases of melanoma and 271 deaths.

Melanoma cancer was the fifth-ranking new cancer diagnosed in Victoria in 2020.

Cancer Council Victoria’s head of SunSmart Emma Glassenbury wants people to protect their skin by following the important sun protection times whenever UV levels are three or above to reduce their risk of skin cancer.

“It would be easy for Victorians to forget the importance of sun protection during the cooler weather, however the high UV levels are the unseen danger when people get skin damage, significantly increasing their risk of developing skin cancer,” Ms Glassenbury said.

Ms Glassenbury called on people to check local UV levels including sun protection times on the Bureau of Meteorology’s website and the free SunSmart app.

In the meantime, Sunsmart recommended for people to follow its guidelines when the UV levels went above three.

This includes slip on clothing that covers as much skin as possible, slop on SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, slap on a broad-brimmed hat that shades the face, ears and neck and seek shade and slide on sunglasses that meet the Australian standard for UV protection.