The Cancer Council SA is targeting tanning teens in a new teaching resource aimed at turning around the growing trend of adolescents failing to protect their skin.

The resource, Skin Cancer, UV Radiation and Protecting Your Skin, is being launched during National Skin Cancer Action Week today and is an interactive powerpoint presentation highlighting the dangers of a tan, the sun’s ageing effect and dispels tanning myths.

Cancer Council chief executive Associate Professor Brenda Wilson says a growing number of adolescents are putting their lives at risk and are one of the few groups largely failing to be sun smart.

“Research shows that teenagers are actually decreasing their use of sunscreen and hats, despite being more aware of the dangers of sun exposure,” she says.

“This is particularly alarming when we know that sun damage in the younger years is a major cause of skin cancer, including the most deadly type, melanoma.

“Melanoma is the most common cancer among those under the age of 25, yet 80,000 South Australian high school students report burning each summer.

Associate Professor Wilson says primary school students are very good at covering up, but once they reach high school their behaviour changes.

“About 60 per cent of adolescents report they like getting a tan,” she said. “This is extremely concerning.”

She says the confronting and informative resource shows graphic images of melanomas and also highlights the significant ageing effect of the sun.

“Teens are worried about the way they look and this resource highlights that tanning doesn’t make you look good, rather it creates wrinkly skin, making people look much older – not to mention the scars created from having skin cancers removed.

“This resource is aimed to get teenagers to change their behaviour and save their lives.”

About 25,000 South Australians are diagnosed with skin cancer and 700 people with the deadly melanoma each year.

“Skin cancer is almost totally preventable. Cover up with clothing, wear SPF 30+ sunscreen, a broad brimmed hat, slide on some sunnies and seek shade - it could just save your life.”