Northlanders becoming more sun savvy

MoleMap's Andrew Maslin said early detection of melanoma was the key to successful treatment. Photo / File

Northlanders have a growing awareness of the need to stay sun smart and detect melanoma early, a local expert says.

The Cancer Society says about 350 New Zealanders die from skin cancer every year, and New Zealand has one of the highest melanoma rates in the world. When skin was over-exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) over the years, or sunburned, the skin was permanently damaged. Over exposure to UVR from the sun was the main cause of skin cancer.

Exposure to UVR levels of 3.0 or more for a short period was all it took for a Northland child to be burnt.

Melanoma, the fourth most common cancer in New Zealand, was potentially preventable as more than 90 per cent of melanomas were caused by UV exposure from the sun and sunbeds

Skin and Vein Clinic manager Denise McDonald said both skin checks and sunscreen sales were on the rise.

"With our numbers coming in for mole maps and sales of sunscreen increasing, it shows there is an increase in awareness."

She said people were becoming more proactive about getting skin checked for sun damage. "There's definitely a trend toward that."

MoleMap general manager Andrew Maslin said early detection of melanoma was the key to successful treatment.

On the prevention side, a leading health official warned people to check their sunscreen was still effective.

Cancer Society manager Fiona Mawley said using expired or heat-damaged sunscreen could be worse than using none as it could lead to people wilfully exposing themselves to harmful sun while believing they were protected.

"Most sunscreens have a three-year shelf life," she said. "The expiration date gives a fairly definitive timeline for retailers and consumers."

However sunscreens which expired yesterday don't need to be thrown away.

"If a sunscreen is three months past the expiry date [and] kept in cool conditions, away from direct and or indirect heat, then it should still be effective to use."

Ms Mawley said keeping sunscreen away from heat is the key to preserving its effectiveness.

"The effectiveness of the sunscreen will depend on where it has been stored. It is best to store it below 30C - not in a car or golf bag," she said.

"In some cases the formula could change appearance or split. If that happens then it should be discarded."

Wearing sunscreen is one of the best ways to help protect exposed skin from sun damage which can cause skin cancer, including melanoma.

New Zealanders spend just under $3 million on sunscreen at major supermarkets each December, according to data from Nielson global information and measurement company. However, sales usually slowed down over January and February, dropping under $1 million by March.

The Cancer Society recommended that between 10am and 4pm, when the sun was at its strongest, children wear protective clothing like shirts with collars and longer sleeves, don a broad-brimmed hat, use a broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen and look for shade.