Skin health guide
Skin cancer in Australia
Australia has the highest skin cancer rate in the world. Understanding the scale of the problem — and what you can do — is the first step toward protecting yourself and your family.
2 in 3
Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime
#1
Australia has the world's highest rate of skin cancer
95%
Of skin cancers are successfully treated when caught early
Why Australia?
Australia's high skin cancer rate is the result of several compounding factors. The country sits close to the equator, receives intense UV radiation year-round, and has historically had a culture of outdoor activity with limited sun protection. The ozone layer over parts of Australia is also thinner than in many other regions, increasing UV exposure.
Australia's predominantly fair-skinned population — many descended from northern European ancestry — has relatively low natural melanin protection against UV radiation, compounding the risk.
Types of skin cancer
There are three main types of skin cancer diagnosed in Australia:
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
The most common type, accounting for around 70% of all skin cancers. BCCs grow slowly and rarely spread, but they can cause significant local damage if left untreated.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
The second most common type. SCCs can spread to other parts of the body if not treated promptly, though most are caught and treated successfully.
Melanoma
The most dangerous form of skin cancer. While it accounts for a smaller proportion of diagnoses, melanoma causes the majority of skin cancer deaths. Australia has one of the highest melanoma rates in the world. Early detection is critical — melanoma caught at stage one has a five-year survival rate of over 98%.
Who is most at risk?
While anyone can develop skin cancer, certain factors increase your risk:
Fair skin, light eyes, or red/fair hair — less melanin means less natural UV protection.
A high number of moles — people with more than 50 moles have a higher risk of melanoma.
History of sunburn — particularly blistering sunburns during childhood.
Family history of melanoma — risk is significantly higher if a first-degree relative has been diagnosed.
Age — risk increases with age, though melanoma can occur at any age, including in young adults.
The case for early detection
The statistics for early-detected skin cancer are markedly better than for late-stage diagnoses. Melanoma caught at stage one — before it has spread beyond the original site — has a five-year survival rate above 98%. At stage four, that drops to around 25%.
This is why regular self-examination and GP skin checks matter. Between annual or biannual GP visits, monitoring your moles yourself — knowing what's normal for you and noticing what changes — is the most practical way to catch something early.
What you can do
There are three practical steps every Australian should take:
Protect yourself from UV
Wear SPF 50+ sunscreen daily, protective clothing, and a hat. Seek shade during peak UV hours (10am–2pm).
Check your moles regularly
Get to know your moles and check them every 4–6 weeks. Know what's normal for you so you notice when something changes.
See your GP regularly
Book a full-body skin check at least once a year — more frequently if you are at higher risk. Never wait if something has changed.
Track your moles between GP visits
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