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Australia is globally lauded for its leadership in preventing skin cancer, predominantly caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun, and the impact of its national and state‐based public education campaigns, including the iconic Slip! Slap! Slop! (Seek! Slide!) campaign and others focused on changing attitudes to tanning and sun protection behaviours, particularly among children and young adults. These campaigns are recognised as key factors in the gradual reduction in the incidence of melanoma in people under the age of 30 years in Australia over the past 25 years, whereas melanoma incidence continues to increase among older people in Australia and in all age groups in most other countries. In Australia, high sun exposure is a more costly risk factor than tobacco use with respect to health system expenditure on cancer treatment. Government investment in skin cancer prevention, at a tiny fraction of the cost of skin cancer treatment, provides about three times return on investment, and is therefore considered excellent value for money.

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Authors: Anne E Cust, Richard A Scolyer AO and Georgina V Long AO

Article Type: Research