CHILDHOOD sun exposure contributes significantly to a child's lifetime risk of skin cancer.
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That's the message from Cancer Council Tasmania.
And that theory was proved correct in the case of former Australian Test captain Richie Benaud, 84, last week, who revealed he is undergoing treatment for skin cancer.
"When I was a kid, we never ever wore a cap," he said.
"We follow various people and 'Nugget' Miller never wore anything on his head, so I didn't.
"I wish I had. You live and learn as you go along."
Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations president Jenny Eddington said the state education department's sun protection policy was comprehensive and strictly adhered to at primary school level.
However, she said getting secondary school students to abide was a challenge.
"Basically kids have to wear a hat at all times when they are outside and if they haven't got their hat they have to sit in the shade or inside," Ms Eddington said.
"Schools have multiple types of sunscreen and lots of schools have put up sun sails and various things as well.
"High school kids are not nearly as compliant . . . unless they are sporty, they tend to spend their break times sitting around in spaces talking and texting.
"They don't tend to run around and play in the open as much as much as primary school kids."
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, accounting for about 80 per cent of all newly diagnosed cancers.
Cancer Council Tasmania acting chief executive Dr Kathryn Terry said it is important parents educate their children and develop good sunsmart habits.
She said parents should keep infants under 12 months of age out of the sun as much as possible by not planning activities in the middle of the day when the UV is at its highest and most intense.
She said they should also use clothes, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect their babies and children.
"The damage from sunburn can have a long-lasting effect . . . and for parents it is about developing good habits like putting sunscreen on 20 minutes before leaving the house," Dr Terry said.
"It is easier with parents with younger children, it is teenagers that we really need to target so they continue those behaviours. "UV is silent, you cant see that it is doing damage - it is really important to be prepared against actually getting sunburnt in the first instance."
