Skin cancer in Australia

Skin cancer in Australia kills over 2,000 people each year, with more than 750,000 diagnosed and treated. Australia, followed by New Zealand, have the highest skin cancer rates worldwide. This is attributed to Australia having a high percentage of people with fair skin, while being relatively close to the equator, with higher intensity ultra-violet radiation (UVR), the primary cause of skin cancer. These demographics are a result of migration of Europeans with lighter skin over relatively recent periods in history.

Approximately 2 out of 3 Australians will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer during their lifetime. However, non-melanoma keratinocyte skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia, with 1 million treatments per year.

Australia experienced relative success through skin cancer prevention campaigns such as SunSmart, started in the 1980s, and continued to invest and promote awareness through government-funded mass media strategies. Although Australia has one of the highest national rates of skin cancer, mortality trends in melanoma were stable as of 2002.

Sun tanning is also a major part of Australian culture and contributes to skin cancer rates. This has led to government bans on commercial indoor tanning beds in every state in Australia effective January 2016.

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