Australians grow up with sun safety drilled into us. Many of us can still sing along to the “Slip, Slop, Slap” jingle, launched in 1981. We know the rules. And yet, when it comes to skin cancer, Australia continues to lead the world in all the wrong ways.
Two in three Aussies will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70. That statistic alone should have us slapping on a whole bottle of sunscreen before we walk out the door. But the problem is it’s to easy to think of skin cancer as something that happens “later in life”.
The reality is skin cancer begins the very first time unprotected skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. From childhood onward, every sunburn, every long day outdoors without protection, adds to a lifetime tally of damage.
We know this yet knowing hasn’t translated into doing. Sunscreen is forgotten. Hats are optional. Cloudy days are written off as safe though up to 80 per cent of UV radiation can still penetrate cloud cover. The danger feels abstract, even as the damage is quietly accumulating in skin cells, year after year.
Australia’s position close to the equator, combined with generally clear skies and an outdoor lifestyle, means UV levels are consistently high. In summer, many parts of the country experience “extreme” UV ratings by mid-morning with levels high enough to cause skin damage in minutes. UV levels can also be high in winter, particularly in northern Australia, making sun protection a year-round issue, not just a summer concern.
There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal and squamous cell carcinomas, often grouped as non-melanoma skin cancers, are extremely common and, while usually treatable, can be disfiguring and occasionally life-threatening if left unchecked. Melanoma is the most dangerous form, responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths.
Melanoma is particularly frightening because of how quickly it can spread. A spot that looks insignificant can become life-threatening in months. Each year in Australia, more than 2,000 people die from melanoma.
One of the most persistent myths is that skin cancer only affects older people.
While cumulative sun exposure increases risk over time, melanoma is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in Australians aged 15 to 39. Childhood sunburns, particularly blistering burns, significantly increase the risk of melanoma later in life. That damage doesn’t disappear; it sits quietly in skin cells, sometimes for decades, before turning cancerous.
Another misconception is that tanning equals health. A tan is not a sign of wellbeing; it’s a visible sign of skin damage. There is no such thing as a “safe tan”. Even without burning, UV radiation damages DNA in skin cells every time unprotected skin is exposed to the sun.
Despite decades of public health messaging, we still refuse to give skin cancer the respect it deserves. Yes, melanoma rates are dropping, particularly among people under 40, but Australia still has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world.
The good news is that most skin cancers are preventable, and Australians have learnt a thing or two since 1981. Unless you’ve been living under a rock (in which case, you probably don’t need to worry about skin cancer) no one really needs a refresher on how to protect themselves from sun damage or what to do if a suspicious spot appears.
What we do need reminding of is that the risk is real, the consequences are deadly and there’s no downside to prevention. Looking after your health often means giving up things you enjoy. Skin cancer isn’t one of them.
Every time you head out into the sun, slip on sun-protective clothing, slop on some sunscreen, slap on a hat, slide on sunglasses, seek shade… and don’t forget the stubby holder for your beer!
