Skin Cancer and Sun Protection
The number of Australians treated for the most common forms of skin cancer has increased by more than a third since 1995 and has doubled over the past two decades, according to Cancer Council figures.The most dangerous but least common form of skin cancer is melanoma, which around 8500 Australians are diagnosed with and almost 1000 die from each year. The two most common forms are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. All are mainly caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation.
Australia is the skin cancer capital of the world. One in two people who grow up here get some form of skin cancer at some time! This is because we have so much sunshine and so many light-skinned people. In other countries as sunny as ours most people have dark skin, which gives better protection from UVR.
Check your skin regularly. What should you look for?
Visit the NSW Cancer Council website which features photos of various spots. Make sure that you know what to look out for.
Use these links to discover how to protect your skin from serious damage and keep your skin looking good for longer.
About ultraviolet radiation (UVR)
UVR comes from the sun. But unlike sunlight, it can't be seen or felt. It can take as little as 10 minutes in the sun for potentially damaging exposure from UVR to occur.The main cause of skin cancer is radiation from the sun -an invisible kind called ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Learn how UVR contributes to sunburn, skin ageing, eye damage and skin cancer... | more 
Playing sport or spending time outdoors
Read these tips from the NSW Cancer Council about protecting your skin while playing sport or spending time outdoors