Surfing WA delivers skin cancer prevention education to Western Australians 

Healthway's $290,000 two-year partnership with Surfing WA will deliver a suite of education programs that encourage sun protection and provide healthier community events for around 130,000 Western Australians.

The SunSmart message will be promoted through Surfing WA education sessions aligning to the School Surfing Titles and the Learn to Surf program, with the aim of encouraging Western Australian students to adopt sun safe behaviours that prevent skin cancer.

With around two in three Australians developing skin cancer before the age of 70, reducing sun exposure in childhood and adolescence can greatly reduce the chance of developing skin cancer later in life.

Surfing WA will collaborate with the Cancer Council WA's SunSmart Schools Program, to provide opportunities for schools and students to receive ongoing sun safety education.

Healthway grants totalling $66,000 were also provided to Rowing WA, Synchro WA, Busselton Runners Club and Green Skills to support community events that encourage participation in physical activity whilst promoting the sun protection message.

Health Minister Roger Cook said that "the partnership approach to providing sun smart education is an important strategy for reducing harm from skin cancer in the WA community.

"It's important for children and young people to understand the dangers of overexposure to the sun and how to protect themselves.

"Summer is on our doorstep and we want children and families to be active and spend time outdoors, so we need to educate them to slip, slop, slap, seek and slide."

Image top courtesy of Surfing WA Surf School