Skin Cancer in Australia: The Facts

One out of every two Australians will develop skin cancer at some stage during their lives.

Skin cancer is almost completely preventable. It’s as simple as minimising your exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (reducing your exposure to the sun and not using solariums) and protecting your skin and eyes when you are in the sun.

Every time you get sunburnt or expose your skin to too much sun, it increases your risk of skin cancer.

Almost 400,000 Australians visit a doctor or specialist to have a skin cancer removed and more than 1,300 Australians die from skin cancer each year.

Melanoma is the fourth most common cancer in Australia. It is the most common cancer (after non melanoma skin cancer) in people aged 15 to 44 years.

A tan is not a sign of good health. It is a sign your skin has been exposed to too much UV radiation, possibly causing permanent damage like thickening of the skin, wrinkling and genetic cell damage that can later lead to skin cancer.