Skin Cancer Facts

Skin cancer is a general term which encompasses all cancers that form in different cells of the skin. It affects hundreds of thousands of people living in Australia every year. Although it is most common among fair skinned persons and those who are regularly exposed to sunlight, the fact is we are all at risk.

• Over 3,000 people per day are treated for Skin Cancer in Australia.
  That’s over 1,000,000 skin cancer treatments per year!
• Skin Cancer is Australia’s most common cancer. Every year, skin cancers account for around 80% of all newly diagnosed cancers in Australia.
• 2 in 3 Australian’s will be diagnosed with Skin Cancer by the age of 70. Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer per capita in the world.
• Around 2,000 deaths per year.
  Melanoma is the sixth most common cause of cancer death in Australian men and tenth most common in Australian women.
• More than 15,000 cases of Melanoma are diagnosed in Australia each year. Melanoma is the second most common cancer in Australian men, and third most common for women.
• Occupational Sun Exposure (getting sun while at work) is responsible for over 34,000 skin cancers in Australia each year. Outdoor workers receive on average 10 times more sun exposure than indoor workers, significantly increasing their risk of skin cancer.
• Melanoma is the most common cancer for Australians aged 20 to 39. 95% of melanomas are caused by overexposure to UV radiation from the sun.
• Most skin cancer can be successfully treated provided they are found and treated in their early stages. If not found and treated early, melanoma can be highly aggressive and very difficult to treat.