Sun, sun, sun

This week's Sun-Herald screams 'Millions at risk'. THE health story of the week is the increasingly common occurrence of vitamin D deficiency.

It's not a new development, although now 1 in 3 of the Australian population, including yours truly, have insufficient levels of this vitamin.

This appears to be the flip side of a very successful anti-skin cancer campaign, such that people are avoiding the sun exposure necessary for the production of vitamin D. The role of vitamin D in bone health is well known but apparently, a deficit of vitamin D has been linked to colon, breast and prostate cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and other diseases.

So it's all about balance, about getting some sun exposure but not sunbaking. Health Psych readers (The flip of slip, slop, slap) already knew that though, didn't they?

Sunning your buns

As a very pale skinned Brit, I stay out of the sun otherwise my English rose complexion rapidly takes on all the charm of an over ripe tomato. More importantly, the worry of skin cancer is another motivating factor to maintain that 'white as a sheet' look us Brits often get teased about.

While I moved to the country with the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, Australia is not alone in facing the battle with this cancer. Even my fellow Brits back in the home country are now experiencing higher rates of skin cancer.

I'd like therefore to draw your attention to a key study currently being undertaken to examine how we behave in the sun and our attitudes towards tanning and skin cancer.

You can read more about the study here. If you have 20 minutes to spare, I urge you to please consider spending on this survey. Someone in the future may well thank you for it.

Disclaimer: Any resemblence to HP in the above picture is purely coincidental. :)

The flip of slip, slop, slap

Slip, Slop, Slap!It sounds like a breeze when you say it like thatSlip, Slop, Slap!In the sun we always say "Slip Slop Slap!"
Slip, Slop, Slap!Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat,Slip, Slop, Slap!You can stop skin cancer - say: "Slip, Slop, Slap!"

Although I normally gravitate to the clinical side of health psychology rather than towards health promotion, I thought this story about the flip side of a successful health promotion campaign worth sharing.

"Slip, Slop, Slap" has been one of the most successful health promotion campaigns ever. Launched in 1981 by The Australian Cancer Council to promote the need for protection from the sun, the slogan has become institutionalised and remains a key part of skin cancer prevention programs today.

In fact, it has been so successful in raising awareness of the dangers of sun exposure that a new problem has appeared. Some groups are now failing to get enough sun and are suffering from a deficiency of vitamin D.

A lack of vitamin D has been linked to increased risk of broken bones. The problem has been particularly seen among those less likely to be exposed to sunlight, namely the elderly population and in women required to cover up for religious reasons.

But please don't race out and assume a prone position on the nearest piece of sand. The skin cancer protection message is still extremely important.

The answer can be as simple as getting a few minutes of sun every day. How many is dependent on geographical location, time of day and year.

As an alternative, vitamin D supplementation has already been shown to be effective in reducing fractures. However, it is important to add that vitamin D can be toxic in large doses, so please consult with your doctor before considering taking supplements.

The full story can be read at:

Lack of sun harming elderly