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Combatting Australia’s ‘national cancer’

When it comes to skin cancer we need to do more to protect all Australians from the sun

Combatting Australia’s ‘national cancer’

National Skin Cancer Action Week (20-26 November) highlights that we need to do more to promote sun protection.

Navy banner with yellow detailing and text reading UV 3 or above? Remember to Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide. Above these words are illustrations of a long-sleeve shirt, sunscreen bottle, broad-brimmed hat, umbrella and sunglasses. In the right hand-corner at the bottom of the banner are the Cancer Council and The Australasian College of Dermatologists logos.

Often called our ‘national cancer’, Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, with approximately two in three Australians diagnosed with skin cancer during their lifetime. Sadly, around 2000 Australians will die from this disease this year, and it is estimated that almost twice as many men as women will die from melanoma this year alone.

Yet research shows that many Australians, particularly men, aren’t regularly using all five forms of sun protection. This year, Cancer Council Australia is urging all Australians, especially men aged over 40, to be SunSmart and reduce their risk of developing skin cancer.

Over-exposure to UV radiation causes 95% of melanomas. In every region across Australia, it is likely to reach extreme levels of UV over the summer months. We encourage Australians to check the UV before you head outside, on the SunSmart app, via the Bureau of Meteorology’s website or your local weather forecast.

Fortunately, most skin cancers can be prevented by using all five forms of sun protection when the UV level is 3 or higher:  

  • Slip on sun protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible. 
  • Slop on broad spectrum, water resistant SPF30 (or higher) sunscreen. Apply 20 minutes before going outdoors and every two hours afterwards.  
  • Slap on a hat – broad brim or legionnaire style to protect your face, head, neck and ears.  
  • Seek shade. 
  • Slide on sunglasses – make sure they meet Australian Standards

To mark the start of National Skin Cancer Action Week, the Australian Government has announced a two-year multi-million dollar skin cancer prevention campaign. Working in partnership with the Australian Government, Cancer Council Australia is delighted to be delivering this national campaign highlighting the importance of being SunSmart. We thank the Australian Government for their dedication to improving cancer outcomes for all Australians.  

The campaign will launch in November 30, targeting all Australians, with a particular focus this year on men aged 40-59 who research shows practice lower levels of sun safe behaviours. You can find some of the creative that will soon appear on your social media and TV screens below.


Download our National Skin Cancer Action Week assets here

Navy blue background with a yellow daffodil petal in the top left, underneath in the middle reads 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. Below this are 3 illustrations of people, the first two are yellow and the third is white.
A white banner with the 5 illustrations. Above 'Slip' is a long-sleeve tshirt, above 'slop' is a sunscreen bottle, above 'slap' is a broad-brimmed hat, above 'seek' is an umbrell and above 'slide is sunglasses'. Below is the Cancer Council logo and the Australasian College of Dermatologists logo.
Navy blue banner with a yellow daffodil petal in the top left. In the middle is text reading It's National Skin Cancer Action Week!
Navy blue banner with a yellow daffodil petal in the top left. In the middle is text saying Every year, 2000 people are expected to die from skin cancer.
Navy blue banner with a yellow daffodil petal in the top left. In the middle is text saying Did you know? Less than half of Australian men actively seek shade to protect themselves from the sun during summer. Below on the left is an illustration of a white sun lounger with the sun and its rays above it. To the right is the Cancer Council logo and the Australasian College of Dermatologists logo.



Watch the TV ad

A child and a man standing outside on the grass. The man is bending his knees, wearing thongs, shorts, a long-sleeved shirt and a shirt underneath and the child is holding his hat up. The child is wearing a bucket hat, long-sleeved shirt, shorts and shoes.
A child and a man standing outside on the grass. The man has his arm around the child and the other hand on his hip and is wearing thongs, shorts, a long-sleeved shirt and a shirt underneath and a broad-brimmed hat. The child is wearing a bucket hat, long-sleeved shirt, shorts and shoes and is looking up at the man.
An iPhone showing a Cancer Council Australia sponsored Instagram story ad of a child and a man sitting on a step in the shade, wearing long-sleeved shirts, broad-brimmed (man) and bucket (child) hats, shorts and shoes. The man is holding his hat.
An iPhone showing a Cancer Council Australia sponsored Facebook ad of a man putting a cover on a barbeque. He is wearing a signlet, shorts and thongs.
An iPad showing a Cancer Council Australia sponsored Facebook ad of a man putting a cover on a barbeque. He is wearing a signlet, shorts and thongs.