Northern Beaches golfer drives sun protection message

Northern Beaches local, Noel Carroll, is leading by example by protecting himself from the sun as Manly Golf Club takes part in Cancer Council NSW’s Improve your long game Program.

The Program, aimed at men aged 40 years and over, encourages good sun protection by offering free sunscreen at the clubhouse and on the course as well as information resources displayed around the club on how to reduce skin cancer risk.

Noel is supporting the program and showing fellow members what good sun protection looks like because he has had two melanomas, first in 2008 and then again in 2013 and he now sees an increasing number of his golfing mates being diagnosed with melanoma.

“I was lucky that my melanoma was caught early, and that I’m still here today. Reducing your risk of skin cancer is simple, I want the other guys at Manly Golf Club to be sun-safe,” Mr Carroll said.

“The Improve your long game Program is a great reminder for players to apply sunscreen at the start of the course and again two hours in. We spend four to five hours in the sun when golfing and even though many players wear a cap, it offers only minimum protection to the ears, face and neck. Many Manly Golf Club members play three or four times per week and that’s a lot of time in the sun!

“I suggested that we have sunscreen stands permanently on the course and my Wednesday playing partners and I offered to pay for jarrah stands that match the other furniture of Manly Golf Club. These stands are currently being built, which is fantastic!” concluded Mr Carroll.

In NSW, men’s risk of skin cancer increases from the age of 40. Men in this age group are 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma, and around twice as likely to die from it, compared to women of a similar age.

“Recreational golfers spend extended periods of time outdoors in an environment that has minimal shade and is highly reflective of UV from surrounding surfaces like grass, sand and water. Unprotected sun exposure puts them at high risk of sunburn, skin damage and skin cancer,” said Hannah Langman, Community Programs Coordinator at Cancer Council NSW.

“Improve your long game reminds men that it’s never too late: using sun protection at any age reduces the risk of melanoma and when you’re older it will reduce any further damage occurring. Skin cancer is preventable through easy steps like applying and reapplying sunscreen, wearing a broad brimmed hat, wearing long-sleeved shirts, wearing sunglasses and seeking shade when possible,” Ms Langman continued.

“It’s important to have a sun protection routine in place on and off the course, and following the example of players like Noel is a great place to start.”

The Improve your long game program began in 2015 and is co-funded by Cancer Council NSW and Cancer Institute NSW.