Episode 33
22nd November 2016
Teacher Resource
Skin Cancer
1. Before you watch the BtN story, record what you know about
protecting yourself from the sun.
2. What did the BtN story mainly explain?
3. The sun gives off an invisible type of energy
called___________________.
4. How can UV radiation damage our skin?
5. How does skin cancer form?
6. What proportion of Australians will be diagnosed with skin
cancer by the time they’re 70?
7. Kids can’t get skin cancer. True or false?
8. Why is it important to keep an eye on spots or freckles?
9. How can you protect yourself from the sun?
10. Name three facts you learnt watching the Skin Cancer story.
Students will develop a deeper
understanding of what ultraviolet
radiation is and the health effects of
too much UV radiation. They will also
plan and practise strategies to
promote sun safety in their
community.
Health and PE – Years 5 & 6
Plan and practise strategies to
promote health, safety and wellbeing
(ACPPS054)
Class discussion
Discuss the BtN Skin Cancer story as a class. What questions were
raised in the discussion (what are the gaps in their knowledge)? Here
are some questions to guide discussion:






What are the beneficial and harmful effects of the sun?
What is skin cancer?
What causes skin cancer?
What do you know about being sun smart?
How do you decide whether or not sun protection is needed?
How do you protect yourself?
The following KWLH organiser provides students with a framework to
explore their knowledge on this topic and consider what they would like
to know and learn.
What do I
know?
©ABC 2016
What do I want
to know?
What have I
learnt?
How will I
find out?
Investigate community resources and
ways to seek help
about health, safety and wellbeing (A
CPPS053)
Investigate the role of preventive
health in promoting and
maintaining health, safety and wellbei
ng for individuals and their
communities (ACPPS058)
Ultraviolet Radiation
Understanding ultraviolet radiation and the health effects of too much radiation is important as the sun’s UV
radiation is the major cause of skin cancer. Students can begin by watching the BtN UV Warning story then,
working in pairs, ask them to research the following:


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What is UV radiation?
Levels of UV radiation depend on a number of factors. What are they?
What is the UV index?
What are the health effects of too much UV radiation?
Sun Protection Times
The sun protection times can tell you whenever UV
levels are forecast to be 3 or higher. These times are
forecast each day by the Bureau of Meteorology
website .

What sun protection measures are
recommended?

Monitor the UV index and temperature in your
area for a week and graph the results. Explain
the connection between UV and temperature.

Consider checking the UV index as a class at
the beginning of each day to ensure that
students are protecting themselves from the
sun. Your school could give a daily UV alert
and sun protection reminders to all students.
Myth busting
What are some common myths about sun protection? `Bust’ each myth with an
explanation. Here are some examples:
o
o
o
o
o
©ABC 2016
You can’t get burnt on a cloudy day
Only people with fair skin can get skin cancer.
Kids can’t get skin cancer
Skin cancer is not a serious form of cancer because it can be cut out
One application of sunscreen in the morning is enough
Further Investigations
 What are the warning signs of skin cancer? What should people do to check
for these signs? Interview a dermatologist or oncologist as part of your
research.

Why is Vitamin D important to the human body? Find out how you can get
enough sun for vitamin D without increasing the risk of skin cancer. Investigate
how clothing, the time of day and year, geographical location and skin type
can all affect the amount of vitamin D your body makes.

Do you think your school is sun safe? Why or why not?
o Think of ways that you could improve your school yard and school
uniform to make them more sun safe. List your suggested
improvements.
o Design and illustrate your new and improved school uniform and
school yard. Write a short paragraph on why you believe these
improvements are necessary.
o Set up a meeting with your school council to discuss your proposed
improvements
Play the Sun Smart Game
Students can find out how much they know about sun
safety and learn more about the importance of sun
protection by playing the SunSmart Millionaire game.
Play the Sunscreen game to find out how SPF works in
sunscreens. Students test how long it takes UV rays to
burn different skin types with and without SPF.
Behind the News – UV Warning
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3057520.htm
Behind the News – Sun Damage
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s4126812.htm
Behind the News – Sun Safety
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3340142.htm
Cancer Council – Sun Safety
http://www.cancer.org.au/preventing-cancer/sun-protection/
Cancer Council – National Skin Cancer Action Week 2016
http://www.cancer.org.au/preventing-cancer/sun-protection/campaigns-and-events/national-skin-canceraction-week.html
Sun Smart – UV and Sun Protection
https://www.sunsmart.com.au/uv-sun-protection
©ABC 2016