9883 written in the sand at Bondi Beach symbolise the Australians to die from melanoma

AS the sun rose over Bondi Beach this morning, 9883 was written on the sand to symbolise the Australians expected to die from melanoma in the next five years.

It has been revealed that 9,883 represents the shocking number of Australians who will die from melanoma in the next five years.

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AS the sun rose over Bondi Beach this morning, 9883 was written on the sand to symbolise the Australians expected to die from melanoma in the next five years.

The hard-hitting message from the Cancer Institute NSW shone a light on sun safety and urged people to cover up during the peak of summer.

Two renowned street artists, Steen Jones and Sid Tapia, also splashed melanoma warnings in form of murals across the world-famous beach, asking everyone to wake up to the seriousness of skin cancer.

The number 9,883 was written on the sand at Bondi beach to symbolise Australians who will die from melanoma in the next five years.

The Institute’s Alecia Brooks said many millennials were unaware that Australia had the second highest incidence of melanoma in the world for both men and women.

“A lot of people think that skin cancer is as simple as cutting something out and that’s it,” she said.

“They don’t understand that melanoma can spread in your body.

“They think that it’s something that happens to someone else.”

Thousands of people sunbaking on Bondi Beach last week. Picture: John Appleyard

Before the end of 2021, 84,947 Australians will be diagnosed with melanoma, 25,295 of these from NSW alone.

Sydney resident Monica Zanetti knows she is one of the lucky ones.

“I was 24 when I was diagnosed with melanoma after my mum noticed the mole on my chest,” the now 30-year-old said.

“It was a long three months of more surgery and more tests.

“It was terrifying, you realise you’re not invincible and very vulnerable.”

Before the end of 2021, 84,947 Australians will be diagnosed with melanoma, 25,295 of these from NSW alone.

Until Friday, mural artwork at 2 Campbell Parade will show a young woman as she goes through the stages of melanoma.

The confronting mural aims to remind ambitious millennials that melanoma is a very real risk, if protection behaviours are not sought now.

“We’re trying to put visual reminders to people outdoors and being active,” Ms Brooks said.

“It really is as simple as slipping on a shirt, slopping on sunscreen, slapping on a hat, seeking shade and sliding on a pair of sunglasses.”