The increasing popularity of beach cabanas may be frustrating lifesavers monitoring the shoreline, but the Cancer Council says it is a sign more people are getting sun smart, but warns UV radiation can still affect those under shelter.
Key points:
- The Cancer Council's Anne Crust says the increasing number of beach shades is encouraging
- She warns beachgoers need to use other sun protection methods as well
- More people die from skin cancer than road crashes in Queensland each year
The council's skin cancer committee chair Professor Anne Cust said bringing portable shade during a visit to the beach was a good option, but people should take additional precautions.
"Portable shade or existing structures are a really good way to protect yourself from the dangers of UV radiation," Professor Cust said.
"But it's just one of the things we can do to stay safe in the sun. You will still get some UV radiation from the glare.
"You still need to be doing the other aspects of slip, slop, slap, seek and slide."
Alongside seeking shade, that also includes slipping on protective clothing, slopping on sunscreen, slapping on a hat, and sliding on some sunglasses.
Cabanas frustrating life savers
Queensland surf lifesavers have said shelters set up too close to each other on packed beaches were hindering access to the shore and blocking visibility.
"We're quite happy to see people using beach cabanas for shade, but obviously it's a concern if lifesavers can't see people," Professor Cust said.
"So hopefully they can work out a way to monitor people safely in the water while people still use beach cabanas.
"We have so many beaches in Australia. Hopefully, there's enough room for everyone."
Professor Cust added that beachgoers should be careful that cabanas did not lead them to spend too much time exposed to the elements.
"They definitely need to be using other forms of sun protection because they're still getting exposed to some UV radiation and, of course, they're not spending all their time under the cabana.
"[They're] out swimming at the beach."
Calls for action
Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, with more than 2,000 people dying of the preventable disease each year.
It is estimated the disease costs the Australian health system more than $1.7 billion annually.
But while Australia leads skin cancer rates globally, Queensland is the country's capital for the disease.
The situation is so bad that more Queenslanders die of skin cancer than road crashes each year, with its skin cancer rates about 40 per cent higher than the rest of Australia.
It has prompted scientists from the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and the University of Queensland to set a goal of reducing the incidence of skin cancer by 5 per cent by 2030, and 25 per cent by 2050.
They aim to have about half of all Queenslanders apply sunscreen daily and wear a broad-brimmed hat outdoors.
They also want a 20 per cent reduction in the percentage of people reporting sunburn.
Skin Cancer Prevention Queensland co-chair Professor Rachel Neale said the targets were ambitious but there were signs skin cancer rates had been plateauing among some age groups.
But she said more needed to be done to push sun-safety messaging.
"We run the risk that if we don't keep it going, then that plateau will stop and we could see it go up again," Professor Neale said.
"We need to ensure we keep that messaging going now."
She said the three groups of most concern were adolescents, outdoor workers, and those participating in sport.
"There's a lot that needs to be done there," Professor Neale said.