FEARS about vitamin D deficiency can lead to excessive sun exposure and increased skin cancer risk.
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A Cancer Council survey has found 28 per cent of Australian adults were concerned about vitamin D levels, but 77 per cent weren't deficient.
Cancer Council Tasmania cancer prevention and support services director Raylene Cox said Tasmanians needed to be vigilant about sun protection while UV levels were high.
"Melanoma is a mostly preventable disease," Ms Cox said.
"In Australia 95 per cent of melanoma of the skin are due to overexposure of UV radiation, so protecting yourself in the sun will help reduce your risk of melanoma."
Ms Cox said melanoma was the fourth most common form of cancer in Tasmania.
Ms Cox said when the UV was three and above in summer, a few minutes outside daily provided adequate vitamin D.
"When the UV is three and above, we absolutely must protect ourselves," Ms Cox said.
Ms Cox said Tasmanians did not require sun protection when the UV was below three, and that the Cancer Council recommended Tasmanians engage in physical activity in the cooler months.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecast an extreme UV rating of 11 for Launceston on Wednesday.
