Australian men have a worrying relationship with sun protection, and the statistics paint a grim picture. While they meticulously maintain their barbecues, work utes, and lawnmowers, they're seriously neglecting their most valuable asset: their skin. The reality is stark - Australian men are twice as likely to die from melanoma than women.
The Sun Protection Gap
Forgetfulness often gets the blame. Many men remember the esky, footy, and keys but completely overlook sunscreen, sunglasses, and proper hats when heading out the door. This casual approach to sun safety is essentially giving the harsh Australian sun free rein to damage skin, potentially with deadly consequences.
The simple act of remembering to Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, and Slide provides the ultimate defense against skin cancer. This summer, regional Australians who work outdoors are sharing their proven strategies to ensure their skin gets the protection it deserves.
Real Stories from the Frontline
Adrian Podmore, 61, horticulturist: "As a horticulturist, I've spent most of my working life in the elements. I always wear a broad-brimmed hat - I call it my solar panel - long-sleeved shirts, UV sunglasses, and sunscreen. Being fair-skinned, I also wear zinc on my nose, lips, and ear tips and reapply regularly."
Chad Staples, 46, zookeeper and managing director: "With my job, I'm outside most of the day. My main protocol is seeking shade whenever possible and maintaining sunscreen application. Our uniforms offer good sun protection, and we're lucky our parks provide plenty of shade. We're religious about sun safety with my family too - always taking shelters to the beach with hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen."
Professor George Kannourakis, 71, medical oncologist: "Having Mediterranean genes means I tan easily, but that can be misleading. Darker skin tones might burn less visibly, but they're not immune to damage. I've seen what chronic sun exposure can do over time, so I take no chances now. I keep sunscreen in the car, on my desk, and by the front door - making protection part of your routine removes the effort."
Changing Habits Saves Lives
Gennadiy Labara, 60, swim coach: "I spend about six hours daily outdoors in winter and more in summer. Coming from Ukraine, where sun protection is strongly emphasized, I'm always focused on sunscreen, long sleeves, sunglasses, and hats. My kids learned these habits from when they were small."
Grant Luhrs, 73, country music artist: "In my younger years, we used coconut oil and spent excessive time baking in the sun. My wife's current battle with skin cancer has definitely made me more careful. These days, I limit sun exposure to early mornings and always wear a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses."
The message from these outdoor experts is clear: sun protection needs to become as automatic as maintaining your other prized possessions. Whether you're working outdoors, at the beach, fishing, gardening, or barbecuing with mates, making Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide a non-negotiable habit could save your life.
