Many young Australians are still getting sunburnt on a regular basis despite having good knowledge about sun protective behaviours.
Researchers from QUT Improving Health Outcomes for People, the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) and University of the Sunshine Coast are conducting the Skntec study to directly test the use of personal UVR devices and the impact they may have on people’s sun exposure.
Skin cancer is a major public health problem in Australia. QUT Improving Health Outcomes for People PhD student Ngadiman Djaja is hoping to develop a better way of measuring sun exposure and habits that put people at high risk for skin cancer.
Mr Djaja is looking for 1000 or more volunteers to take part in a 10-15 minute survey. Participants would be asked about their skin complexion, hair colour, work and leisure pursuits, sunscreen use, and how long they spent in the sun. Participants need to be Queensland residents 18 years of age and over.
Ihop in the media
A Queensland-first, the Healthy Text trial tested the impact and value of SMS-delivered messages promoting sun protection along with skin self-examination for early detection of skin cancer.
Although most commonly used for social communication, text messaging has been used in skin cancer prevention with positive behaviour changes as discovered by Miss Linda Finch and colleagues at the Queensland University of Technology, Cancer Council Queensland, and the University of Queensland. Miss Finch is the lead author of the paper ‘User preferences for text message-delivered skin cancer prevention and early detection’ in the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare.
This study examined the user experience and acceptability of text messages designed to improve sun protection or skin cancer early detection behaviours in young adults (18 to 42 years) with the Healthy Text health promotion program.
