Balancing the risks and benefits of sun exposure: A revised position statement for Australian adults

Rachel E Neale; Victoria Beedle; Peter R Ebeling; Thomas Elliott; David Francis; Christian M Girgis; Louisa Gordon; Monika Janda; Graeme Jones; Robyn M Lucas; Rebecca S Mason; Philip Keith Monnington; Julia Morahan; Georgia Paxton; Craig Sinclair; Stephen Shumack; Jane Smith; Ann R Webb; David C Whiteman

doi:10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100117

Balancing the risks and benefits of sun exposure: A revised position statement for Australian adults

Aust N Z J Public Health. 2024 Feb;48(1):100117. doi: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100117. Epub 2024 Feb 12.

Authors

Rachel E Neale¹, Victoria Beedle², Peter R Ebeling³, Thomas Elliott⁴, David Francis⁵, Christian M Girgis⁶, Louisa Gordon⁷, Monika Janda⁸, Graeme Jones⁹, Robyn M Lucas¹⁰, Rebecca S Mason¹¹, Philip Keith Monnington¹², Julia Morahan¹³, Georgia Paxton¹⁴, Craig Sinclair¹⁵, Stephen Shumack⁵, Jane Smith¹⁶, Ann R Webb¹⁷, David C Whiteman⁷

Affiliations

¹ QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia; University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Electronic address: rachel.neale@qimrberghofer.edu.au.
² Melanoma Patients Australia, Australia.
³ Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Healthy Bones Australia, Australia.
⁴ QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia.
⁵ Australasian College of Dermatologists, Australia.
⁶ University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Australa and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society, Australia.
⁷ QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia; University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
⁸ University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
⁹ Australa and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society, Australia; University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.
¹⁰ Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
¹¹ University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Healthy Bones Australia, Australia.
¹² General Practice: private, Australia.
¹³ Multiple Sclerosis Australia, Australia.
¹⁴ Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
¹⁵ Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.
¹⁶ Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Australia.
¹⁷ University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.

PMID: 38350754
DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100117

Abstract

Objective: To describe the development of a new position statement regarding balancing the risks and benefits of sun exposure for Australian adults.

Methods: We conducted a Sun Exposure Summit in March 2021, with presentations from invited experts and a workshop including representation from academic, clinical, policy, and patient stakeholder organisations. The group considered advice about balancing the risks and benefits of sun exposure for Australian adults and developed a revised consensus position statement.

Results: The balance of risks and benefits of sun exposure is not the same for everybody. For people at very high risk of skin cancer, the risks of exposure likely outweigh the benefits; sun protection is essential. Conversely, people with deeply pigmented skin are at low risk of skin cancer but at high risk of vitamin D deficiency; routine sun protection is not recommended. For those at intermediate risk of skin cancer, sun protection remains a priority, but individuals may obtain sufficient sun exposure to maintain adequate vitamin D status.

Conclusions: The new position statement provides sun exposure advice that explicitly recognises the differing needs of Australia's diverse population.

Implications for public health: Mass communication campaigns should retain the focus on skin cancer prevention. The new position statement will support the delivery of personalised advice.

Keywords: policy; skin cancer; sun exposure; vitamin D.

MeSH terms

Adult
Australia
Humans
Risk Assessment
Skin Neoplasms* / etiology
Skin Neoplasms* / prevention & control
Sunlight / adverse effects
Vitamin D / therapeutic use
Vitamin D Deficiency* / drug therapy
Vitamin D Deficiency* / epidemiology
Vitamin D Deficiency* / prevention & control

Substances

Vitamin D