Sun Safety Advice in Australia Updated to Consider ‘Diversity’

‘The risks and benefits of sun exposure are not the same for all Australians,’ the researchers said.

Beachgoers sit and stand on the sand as others swim on a hot summer day at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Dec. 9, 2023. DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images

Medical researchers have unveiled new sun safety advice designed to cater for Australia’s diverse population and different skin types.

A new paper, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health on Feb. 12, states skin cancer prevention is still a priority, but specifically acknowledges diversity.

“The risks and benefits of sun exposure are not the same for all Australians. The new position statement provides advice that explicitly recognises this diversity,” the paper states.

“However, preventing skin cancer must remain a priority; it is critical that this new advice does not undermine skin cancer prevention messages. Mass communication campaigns should retain the focus on skin cancer prevention.”

The position statement (pdf) groups people into three skin types. Deeply pigmented brown to black skin that rarely or never burns, darker white or olive skin that sometimes burns, and very sun-sensitive skin that burns easily.

Those with deeply pigmented brown to black skin were deemed to have lowest risks of harm from sun exposure.

However, individuals with dark/white olive skin without risk factors like family history of melanoma and immunosuppressants were deemed to have “intermediate risk” of harm from sun exposure.

Meanwhile, people with pale or very sun-sensitive skin were put in the highest risk of harm from sun exposure. Those with darker white/olive skin with risk factors were also categorised as at high risk of harm from the sun.

Lead author Professor Rachel Neale from the QIMR Berghofer Research Institute said, “The updated position statement brings together the new research to improve understanding and address the pressing need to consider our diverse population.”

“We know there are some health benefits to going out in the sun, but we also know it is the main cause of skin cancer which has a terrible impact on so many lives.

“We’re really trying to get the balance right so we can reduce the risk of skin cancer but also enable people to get the benefits of sun exposure.”

The researchers noted the group with the least risk of skin cancer, with deeply pigmented brown to black skin, are at highest risk of vitamin D deficiency.

“This group can safely spend time outdoors and routine sun protection is not needed unless they are in the sun for extended periods,” the researchers said.

The group with the highest risk of skin cancer were advised to seek protection from the sun constantly and discuss vitamin D needs with a GP.

“This includes those with very pale skin that burns easily, and people with less pale skin but who have certain risk factors such as a family history of melanoma, a personal history of skin cancer, are immunosuppressed, or have lots of moles or moles that are large or atypical,” the researchers said.

For the group of people with intermediate risk of skin cancer, researchers said sun protection remains “very important” but these individuals can spend time outdoors to maintain vitamin D and gain “other benefits” from sun exposure.

This position statement was endorsed by Cancer Council Australia, Skin Cancer College Australasia, the Australasian College of Dermatologists, Healthy Bones Australia, the Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society, Melanoma Patients Australia, and MS Australia.