National Skin Cancer Action Week

Each year, Cancer Council and the Australasian College of Dermatologists come together for National Skin Cancer Action Week. The week acts as an important reminder for all Australians to use sun protection and of the importance of early skin cancer detection.

Around 2,000 people in Australia die from skin cancer each year, and Cancer Council estimates that Australia spends more than $1 billion per year treating skin cancer, with costs increasing substantially over the past few years.

However, most skin cancers can be prevented by the use of good sun protection. That’s why during National Skin Cancer Action Week, all Australians are urged to recall and use the five sun protection measures when UV is 3 and above:

• slip on sun protective clothing
• slop on SPF30 or higher broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen
• slap on a shady hat
• seek shade
• slide on sunglasses

A combination of the five measures, along with getting to know your skin and regularly checking for any changes, are key.

Read more about sun protection here.

Read more about early detection here.

This National Skin Cancer Action Week 21 – 27 November 2021, we’re encouraging all Australians to use the five forms of sun protection, slip, slop, slap, seek and slide to help protect against skin cancer.

To download or order SunSmart resources click here