What do you know about sun safety?
Try this quick quiz to find out what you know about the effect of ultraviolet radiation.
Question 1
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Australia.
- True
- False
Feedback:
- Yes that's right. One in two Australians will get skin cancer in their life time. This statistic should be enough to make anyone cover up and protect themselves.
- Unfortunately this is true.
Question 2
A tan is healthy for you.
- True
- False
Feedback:
- Tanning leads to premature aging and increases your chances of getting skin cancer.
- That's right. A tan is not healthy and damages your skin causing wrinkles and thick leathery skin. It also increases your chances of skin cancer.
Question 3
Skin damage from the sun can be reversed.
- True
- False
Feedback:
- Unfortunately once skin has been damaged by the sun it cannot be reversed. It accumulates over time.
- Skin damage from the sun cannot be reversed and accumulates over time.
Question 4
Some sun is good for you.
- True
- False
Feedback:
- Yes you do need some sun to make vitamin D in your skin.
- You do need some sun but you get enough just by your everyday exposure to the sun. No need to lay out in the sun.
Question 5
In summer you can get sunburnt when the temperature is cool.
- True
- False
Feedback:
- Yes, you can get burnt whether it is hot or cold. Temperature is related to infra-red radiation, while sunburn is a result of ultraviolet radiation. You can't feel UV rays so always protect yourself.
- This is true. You get burnt by UV radiation which you can't feel. In summer it can feel cool but still have enough UV to damage your skin.
Question 6
Melanoma is the least common skin cancer.
- True
- False
Feedback:
- Yes, that's right, melanoma is the most dangerous but fortunately the least common.
- This is true, the other forms of skin cancer such as basal cell carcinoma and sqaumous cell carcinoma are more common.
Question 7
Going under shade gives you complete protection from the sun.
- True
- False
Feedback:
- Shade gives you some protection but UV rays can be reflected from surrounding surfaces. You still need to protect yourself from the sun.
- Shade gives you some protection but dangerous UV rays may be reflected from surrounding surfaces such as water or concrete.
Question 8
Getting sunburnt when you are young doesn't matter.
- True
- False
Feedback:
- No that's not right, getting sunburnt when young can lead to melanoma as an adult. Cover up and protect yourself.
- Research has shown that getting sunburnt when young can lead to dangerous melanoma as an adult.
Question 9
Going under shade gives you complete protection from the sun.
- True
- False
Feedback:
- Shade gives you some protection but UV rays can be reflected from surrounding surfaces. You still need to protect yourself from the sun.
- Shade gives you some protection but dangerous UV rays may be reflected from surrounding surfaces such as water or concrete.