Evaluation of National Skin Cancer Awareness Campaign - 2008-09
Even using all the recommended sun protection, I would still get plenty of vitamin D
1. Executive summary- 2. Research context
- 3. Research design
4. Research findings- 4.1 Behaviours and intentions
- 4.2 Knowledge
- 4.3 Attitudes
- Skin cancers mainly occur in people with fair skin
- When used properly, sunscreen is an adequate protection on its own
- Treating skin cancer is a simple procedure
- Small amounts of sun exposure without protection are healthy and won't lead to skin damage
- Having my skin checked regularly is sufficient to prevent skin cancers
- Skin cancers can kill
- Skin cancers only affect older people who have spent years in the sun
- It is safe to tan gradually, as long as you don't get burnt
- Even using all the recommended sun protection, I would still get plenty of vitamin D
- 4.4 Advertising awareness and reactions
- 5. Conclusions and recommendations
- Appendix A - Campaign communication objectives
- Appendix B - Campaign materials
- Appendix C - Questionnaire
There was substantial media coverage on the issue of vitamin D deficiency over the summer of 07/08, with claims that 'sunshine deficiency' has led to a 'vitamin D crisis' in Australia. Concerns were raised about sun protection messages leading some to adopt unnecessarily stringent sun protection, and therefore exposing themselves to the risk of vitamin D deficiency. Accordingly, a new item was added to the February 2008 survey in an attempt to understand views on vitamin D and sun exposure. The results are shown in Figure 4.3.9. There were no significant differences between February 2008 and February 2009 among 14-17 year olds and 18-24 year olds.
Figure 4.3.9 Even using all the recommended sun protection, I would still get plenty of vitamin D
Text version of figure 4.3.9
Level of agreement | Survey | 14-17 years (%) | 18-24 years (%) |
| Strongly disagree | Feb 08 | 2 | 2 |
Feb 09 | 3 | 2 | |
| Disagree | Feb 08 | 7 | 9 |
Feb 09 | 6 | 7 | |
| Neither agree nor disagree | Feb 08 | 43 | 37 |
Feb 09 | 40 | 39 | |
| Agree | Feb 08 | 35 | 37 |
Feb 09 | 37 | 39 | |
| Strongly agree | Feb 08 | 13 | 15 |
Feb 09 | 14 | 13 |
Wave 4: 14-17 yrs, n=1,011; 18-24 yrs, n=1,010
Wave 5: 14-17 yrs, n=1,009; 18-24 yrs, n=1,004