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Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Australia, with 80 per cent of all cancers diagnosed in Australia being skin cancer.
Queensland has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. More than 430,000 Australians are treated a year for skin cancers. Of these, over 10,500 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed. Each year there are around 1600 deaths from melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.
New SunSmart iPhone App
Find out more about the NEW! SunSmart iPhone App released for summer
Preventing skin cancer
The major cause of skin cancer is too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Skin can burn in as little as 15 minutes in the summer sun so it is important to protect your skin from UV radiation. Avoid using solariums or sunbeds, which emit harmful levels of UV radiation up to three to five times as strong as the summer midday sun.
Skin cancer is largely preventable. Be SunSmart. Protect yourself against sun damage and skin cancer by using a combination of these five steps:
Slip on sun protective clothing
Choose clothing that:
- Covers as much skin as possible e.g. long sleeves and high necks/collars.
- Is made from close weave materials such as cotton, polyester/cotton and linen.
- Is dark in colour to absorb UV rays. White and lighter colours reflect UV onto skin.
- If used for swimming, is made from materials such as lycra, which stays sun protective when wet.
Slop on SPF 30+ sunscreen
Make sure your sunscreen is broad spectrum and water resistant.
Sunscreen should not be used to increase the amount of time you spend in the sun and should always be used with other forms of protection. Apply sunscreen liberally to clean, dry skin at least 20 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours.
Slap on a hat
A broad brimmed, legionnaire or bucket style hat provides good protection for the face, nose, neck and ears, which are common sites for skin cancers. Caps and visors do not provide adequate protection. Choose a hat made with closely woven fabric - if you can see through it, UV radiation will get through. Hats may not protect you from reflected UV radiation, so also wear sunglasses and sunscreen to increase your level of protection.
Seek shade
Make use of trees or built shade structures, or bring your own! Staying in the shade is an effective way to reduce sun exposure. Whatever you use for shade, make sure it casts a dark shadow and use other protection (such as clothing, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen) to avoid reflected UV radiation from nearby surfaces.
Slide on some sunglasses
Sunglasses and a broad brimmed hat worn together can reduce UV radiation exposure to the eyes by up to 98 per cent. Choose close-fitting wrap-around sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard AS 1067. Sunglasses are as important for children as they are for adults.
Saving Our Skin DVD
The Saving Our Skin DVD is designed to assist with the promotion of the prevention and early detection of skin cancer. The DVD is appropriate to a wide audience. There are three modules on the DVD, each is eight minutes in length and aimed at:
- Outdoor workers
- The general community
- Schools and childcare settings
Each eight minute module is designed to give practical advice to individuals and organisations to reduce their risk of developing skin cancer through policy development and early detection. It is recommended for adult education purposes only.
You can view the DVD modules under the Information & Resources section on the Saving Our Skin page
Skin cancer prevention for sport and recreation
Thousands of Queenslanders are involved in outdoor sports as participants, organisers, officials, coaches and spectators. This involvement has many health benefits, but it also carries the risk of increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and therefore the risk of skin cancer.
As many sports are often undertaken during peak UVR periods (between 10am and 3pm), sporting organisations have the potential to minimise UVR exposure and provide a SunSmart environment which positively influences long-term behaviour.
Cancer Council Queensland has developed SunSmart Policy Guidelines for sporting organisations. These guidelines help organisations develop their own SunSmart policy and provide ideas for the implementation of the policy. Developing a formal, written SunSmart policy demonstrates your organisation’s commitment to the health and safety of your members.
2012 SunSmart Grant Scheme - now open!
The SunSmart Grant Scheme is a partnership initiative developed by Cancer Council Queensland and Queensland Health to assist organisations who have limited funds to work towards sun safety. The scheme provides grants to Queensland community organisations whose primary focus group is children aged 0-12 years to help them improve sun protection measures and promote sun safe behaviour. The scheme aims to support skin cancer prevention and encourage all organisations to adopt a SunSmart policy. Through the SunSmart Grant Scheme, Cancer Council Queensland and Queensland Health have provided funding to over 350 Queensland organisations to enable them to enhance sun protection for the children in their care.
To apply for funding through the 2012 SunSmart Grant Scheme please download the:
Developing a SunSmart Policy
Developing and implementing a SunSmart Policy is an excellent way of providing defined goals and clear statements about sun protection requirements, practices and behaviours within an organisation. All organisations applying for funding through the 2012 SunSmart Grant Scheme are encouraged to either have a SunSmart Policy in place or demonstrate that they are taking steps toward developing and implementing one. Please refer to Cancer Council Queensland's SunSmart Policy Guideline's documents for more information about creating a policy and to view an example of a high standard SunSmart Policy.
Please contact Rachel Adams for further information about the 2012 SunSmart Grant Scheme and SunSmart Policy Development.
General tips for being SunSmart
Remember to take extra care between 10am and 3pm when UV radiation is most intense.
Look out for the SunSmart UV Alert which tells you the time period in which you need to be SunSmart - it appears on the weather page of most daily newspapers and on the Bureau of Meteorology website.
- Bureau of Meteorology website or
- CCQ's Personal Protection brochure information about the UV Alert.
Select your current location in the UV Alert widget above to access real time information about UV levels in your local area.
If you have a lesion that doesn't heal, or a mole that has suddenly appeared, changed in size, thickness, shape, colour or has started to bleed, ask your doctor for a skin examination. Treatment is more likely to be successful if skin cancer is discovered early.
- Information on skin checks
- Check your skin regularly and see a doctor if you notice any unusual skin changes.
- Information about vitamin D and daily sun exposure requirements.
- Different types of skin cancer information.
- How to use personal protection to save your skin from sun damage
National SunSmart Schools and Early Childhood Centres program
Because children are at school during peak ultraviolet radiation (UVR) times, they play a major role in minimising children’s exposure to UVR and providing a SunSmart environment which will positively influence long-term behaviours.
Since January 1999, Cancer Council Queensland has invited each primary school in Queensland to become a "SunSmart School" as part of the National SunSmart Schools Program. Schools are asked to complete a questionnaire and send it, along with a copy of their sun protection policy, to Cancer Council Queensland to be assessed.
Early Childhood Centres and Family Day Care Centres can also become registered SunSmart facilities.
Preventing skin cancer at work
Work undertaken during peak UVR periods (between 10am and 3pm) should be avoided, however, when this is not possible, organisations have the potential to minimise UVR exposure and provide a SunSmart environment which positively influences long-term SunSmart behaviour.
Cancer Council Queensland has developed SunSmart Policy Guidelines for workplaces. These guidelines help workplaces develop their own SunSmart policy and provide ideas for the implementation of the policy. Developing a formal, written SunSmart policy demonstrates your workplace's commitment to the health and safety of all staff.
Cancer Council Queensland’s Community Speakers Program can provide presentations on the prevention and early detection of a range of cancers including skin cancer and sun protection.
- Find out more about skin cancer at work on our Community Education page..
Contact the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20 for a copy of the Saving Our Skin DVD, which is an adult resource designed to assist with the promotion of the prevention and early detection of skin cancer, and is ideal to use in any workplace.
The Queensland Skin Cancer Prevention Strategic Plan 2008-2013
The Queensland Skin Cancer Prevention Strategic Plan 2008-2013 is now in action in Queensland, with government, non-government, industry and community organisations working together to pave the way forward for skin cancer prevention in the state.
The Plan aims to reduce the incidence of skin cancer in Queensland by creating sustainable policy and environmental changes to ensure Queenslanders can be protected from the sun's ultraviolet radiation.
- Cancer Council Queensland's future plans for skin cancer prevention.
More information
For more information regarding skin cancer, speak to your doctor or call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.
The information available on this page should not be used as a substitute for advice from a properly qualified medical professional who can advise you about your own individual medical needs. It is not intended to constitute medical advice and is provided for general information purposes only. See our Disclaimer.
