We’ve all heard the sun protection message for years and it will certainly be something we all must follow as the weather continues to heat up.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology’s climate outlook for November at Dubbo forecasts the maximum median temperature to be 28.5 degrees Celsius, and for December it will be 31.8.

The January outlook for Dubbo is 31 degrees Celsius. 

Camilla Thompson, Community Programs Coordinator for Cancer Council’s Western NSW region urged people to use a combination of the five sun smart measures and never just rely on one form of protection.

“With one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world, we encourage everyone to slip on protective clothing, slop on sunscreen, slap on a sun safe hat, seek out shade, and slide on sunglasses,” she said.

Over-exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes at least 95 per cent of all skin cancers in Australia, Ms Thompson said.

“This means that by reducing our exposure to UV, we reduce our risk of skin cancer. Sun protection at any age reduces the risk of melanoma; when you’re older it will reduce any further damage occurring,” she said.

The Cancer Council recommends applying sunscreen liberally – approximately one teaspoon per major body part, including a teaspoon for the face, neck and ears.

“That is a total of at least seven teaspoons or 35 ml for a full body application for an average sized adult,” Ms Thompson said.

“We should apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside to allow it to bind to your skin and reapply every two hours or each time after swimming, exercising, sweating or towel drying.”

Ms Thompson said one of the common misconceptions about sunscreen is that it is not required on cloudy or cold days.

“Although UV radiation can’t be seen or felt, it can damage unprotected skin even on cloudy and cold days,” she said.

“UV radiation damages unprotected skin when UV levels are three or higher which, across NSW, is on most days of the year.

“During the summer months, UV hits extreme levels, and sun protection is often recommended for much of the day.”