What you need to know
Living with blood cancer can mean being more sensitive to health risks. Understanding how to protect your skin from the sun is especially important. Sunscreen is a key part of sun safety, but not all types are equal. In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulates some sunscreens. This checks that it provides the sun protection it claims.
Sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) exposure leading to sunburn and skin damage can be caused by blood cancer and its treatments.
It is important you:
- protecting yourself from the sun
- talk to your treatment team about any skin problems
- follow the Cancer Council guidelines on sun safety – Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide | Cancer Council.
Issues with sunscreen protection in Australia
In June 2025, CHOICE, a consumer advocacy group tested 20 popular SPF 50/50+ sunscreens. They found that 16 out of 20 did not meet their claimed SPF levels when independently tested. The TGA is investigating the CHOICE findings and has recalled many sunscreen products.
What you can do
- Always look for an “AUST-L” or “AUST-R” number on sunscreen labels. This means the product is on the Australian Register for Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).
- Find a ARTG registered brand. A listing on the ARTG ensures the product has been properly checked.
- Follow the directions on the sunscreen label, apply enough, reapply after swimming, sweating, or toweling.
- Combine sunscreen with other sun protection. Like shade, wide-brimmed hats, protective clothing, and sunglasses.
- Stay up to date with sunscreen recalls.
Resources
- Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide | Cancer Council
- SPF testing of Cancer Council sunscreens | Cancer Council
- The TGA acts following CHOICE sunscreen investigation
- Multiple sunscreens recall – Lower than claimed SPF levels | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
- Sunscreens using the same base formulation as Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+ sunscreen | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
