Aussie teens turn their backs on tanning (AFP)

SYDNEY, (AFP) - Australia may still be the land of sun, sand and surf, but the country's teenagers are turning their backs on tanning amid growing concerns over skin cancer, according to a new survey.

The Australian Cancer Council's National Sun Survey found that 68 percent of youths aged 12 to 17 did not attempt to get a tan in summer and that 90 percent of them were aware of the link between exposure to sun and skin cancer.

About 60 percent of teen respondents, however, still thought having a tan was attractive and the survey found one in four teens were still getting sun-burned on a typical summer weekend.

"The fact that 68 percent of teenagers did not go out and actively attempt to get a tan is a positive result and teenagers should be commended for that," said Craig Sinclair, chairman of the Cancer Council's skin cancer committee.

The survey questioned 5,073 Australian adults and 699 Australian teenagers aged 12 to 17 by telephone during the southern summer of 2003-2004.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Australia, with one person diagnosed with the disease every 90 seconds.

The Cancer Council said melanomas, the most serious and potentially deadly form of skin cancers, were the most common form of cancer in people aged 15-19, making up 24 percent of all cancers in that age group.