Fed: Teenagers ignoring sun safe message

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-2001
Fed: Teenagers ignoring sun safe message

Health Minister KAY PATTERSON says teenagers are ignoring the Slip, Slop, Slap message
and risking developing sun cancer.

Senator PATTERSON says it's important for all Australians to take appropriate precautions
to protect themselves from the harmful effects of the sun during the summer holidays.

The New South Wales Cancer Council estimates two out of three people born in Australia,
or who spend their childhood in Australia, will develop some form of skin cancer.

She says the Slip, Slop, Slap and SunSmart skin cancer prevention campaigns have been
relatively successful but teenagers are ignoring the messages.

There are about 270,000 new cases of skin cancer each year and 1,300 deaths from the disease.

AAP RTV eg/kmh/hn/jas

KEYWORD: SUN (CANBERRA)

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