Phaedra Hamer and Elizabeth Watson, IGS High School students, have learned about the dangers of melanoma during an education program held at Royal Prince Alfred, that’s designed to encourage teenagers to share sun safe messages with their peers.
A total of 17 students from Year 8 and 9 of seven schools participated in the SunSafe Student Ambassador Program, which is run by Melanoma Institute Australia in partnership with Sydney Local Health District, Northern Sydney Local Health District and Cancer Council NSW.
“With melanoma now the most common cancer among 20 to 39-year-olds in Australia, it’s vital that young people are aware of sun safety”, said Matthew Browne, CEO of Melanoma Institute Australia.
During the one-day program, students learned about the prevalence and dangers of melanoma, the signs of melanoma to look out for and, crucially, how to prevent it. They also learned public speaking skills so they could become SunSafe Ambassadors and returned to the School to share what they’ve gleaned in a presentation to their year group.