Sustainable Sport NEWS

Aiming to reduce the risks of skin cancer in sport, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has released Sun Safe guidelines for summer - developed alongside Paddle Australia, Cancer Council, Melanoma Institute of Australia, and Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA).

The guidelines aim to ensure everyone involved in sport, from volunteers to Olympians and Paralympians, are Sun Safe this summer.

With the Australian Mens Canoe and Kayak team spending a week training in 30+ degree conditions and sunny weather at the AIS, co-author and three-time Paralympic gold Medallist Curtis McGrath OAM said the position statement is a vital guide for every Australian taking part in sport this summer.

McGrath notes “I think it's incredibly important for athletes to be aware of the sun and UVA risks but sports also have a huge responsibility to make sure that everyone involved in sport, support staff, coaches, volunteers and family members, are also aware of the risks.

“Having an understanding of what the risks are allows them to policies and infrastructure and protection measures for those people that are coming along the journey of the athlete as well.”

McGrath and Paddle Australia teammate Olympian Jamie Roberts sparked the development of the Sun Safe Position Statement with AIS Chief Medical Officer Dr David Hughes AM, following teammate Bernadette Wallace being diagnosed with melanoma in 2020.

Dr Hughes adds “I am so proud that we have exceptional leadership from our athletes to thank for what is a landmark document and an important resource for sports not just in Australia, but worldwide.

“Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world and athletes participating in outdoor sports may be at greater risk for skin cancer because of high cumulative sun exposure, inadequate use of sun protection, and low skin cancer health literacy.

“It really comes down to following the ‘Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, and Slide’ behaviours and ensuring our sports have the information they need to develop a positive sun protection culture.”

When it comes to developing a positive sun protection culture, the AIS Sun Safe Position Statement recommends the following five levels of sun protective measures:

• Elimination: Can the person move indoors?
• Substitution: Can the person be outside earlier or later in the day to avoid periods of peak UV exposure?
• Engineering controls: Can shade be provided?
• Administrative controls: Is there a UV policy? Is there a training uniform policy? Are reminders regularly communicated? Have staff been trained and educated? Can events be scheduled better to reduce exposure?
• Personal Protection Equipment: Can uniforms provide more protection? What strategies can support regular use? Can it be mandated? Is there consultation? Can changes be piloted?

Professor Anne Cust, Chair of Cancer Council’s National Skin Cancer Committee shared “Cancer Council is delighted to contribute evidence and expertise to this critical position statement, addressing the urgent need for sporting organisations to tackle the heightened risk of skin cancer in athletes and sport staff. Sport is great for our health, but those involved in sport typically spend longer periods of time outdoors and are exposed to increased levels of dangerous ultraviolet (UV) radiation, increasing their risk of skin damage, sunburn and skin cancer. This collaboration will help protect athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, spectators, and others involved in all levels of sport and marks a pivotal step towards reducing skin cancer risk.”

Professors Georgina Long AO and Richard Scolyer AO, Melanoma Institute Australia Co-Medical Directors added “If we are to reach zero deaths from melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, it is vital that sun safety is prioritised across all facets of Australian life. Prevention is always better than a cure, and we are proud to be partnering with the country’s sporting leaders on this life saving initiative.”

Dr Kerryn King, Science Officer, Ultraviolet Radiation, ARPANSA advised “ARPANSA is proud to contribute to the Australian Institute of Sport’s position statement on sun safety in sports. With solar UV radiation responsible for at least 95% of skin cancers in Australia, we know that the more an individual is exposed to UV radiation, the greater their risk of developing skin cancer. Participating in outdoor sports exposes not only athletes, but others involved in sports such as coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators to prolonged periods of time outside, meaning high levels of UV exposure. This position statement is a step forward in assisting sporting organisations to recognise the inherent risk of UV radiation exposure in sports and to implement sun safe practices, such as the promotion of Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide behaviours, to reduce this risk.”

The AIS, the high performance arm of the Australian Sports Commission, plays a critical leadership role in guiding sporting organisations and the sport sector in relation to a range of issues impacting sport. To read more about the Sun Safe Position Statement and other guidelines, visit the ASC website  

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