Deadly skin cancer on the rise as Victorians underestimate sun’s UV rays

Skin cancer diagnoses are tipped to skyrocket — with many people unaware of the ticking time bomb in their body — as Victorians continue to underestimate the danger of the sun’s UV rays.

SunSmart is ramping up its ‘Don’t Let Cancer In’ campaign as the latest data reveals melanoma is set to rise in Victoria. Picture: SunSmart

Deadly skin cancer diagnoses are expected to rise by up to 69 per cent in Victoria over the next decade, with experts urging the community to stop underestimating the sun’s deadly UV rays.

Nearly all melanomas are preventable, but the latest Victorian Cancer Registry (VCR) report shows diagnoses were expected to rise by 24 to 69 per cent over 10 years as our ageing population grows.

Many Victorians remain unaware of their body’s ticking time bomb – and their shot at earlier treatment – with the VCR report also revealing there were 1311 fewer melanoma diagnoses in 2020 to 2022 – a 13 per cent drop, than expected during the pandemic.

More than 2880 Victorians were diagnosed with melanoma in 2022, making it the fifth most common cancer.

Even incidental exposure from walking the dog or gardening can be deadly

Victorian Cancer Registry director Professor Sue Evans said the “sharp” decline in diagnoses meant there were more “people living in the community” with undiagnosed cancer.

“It’s a trend happening … across all cancers over the last three years, so that’s a little concerning,” she said.

This trend has also made it difficult to predict future melanoma diagnoses, and was why the predicted increase ranged from 24 to 69 per cent.

The lower number does not factor in the impact of the pandemic on cancer figures, while the higher number was from a projection that “took into account that ‘missed diagnoses’” from the pandemic will show up later.

More than 2880 Victorians were diagnosed with melanoma in 2022.

Prof Evans said the rise was driven by an ageing, growing population – the rate has been declining in young people – but a spike in regional residents, who were 47 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma, could also increase numbers.

The numbers would be even higher if non-melanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinomas, were included, she added, with about 150,000 treatments provided every year in Victoria for all types of skin cancer.

Head of SunSmart Emma Glassenbury said the increase of a cancer “that is almost entirely preventable with the use of a good sun protection” was a stark reminder of the need to slip, slop, slap.

“Repeated exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause skin cancer, including melanoma, which is the deadliest form which can spread to your lungs, liver and brain,” she said.

The worrying figures have prompted SunSmart to ramp up its skin cancer prevention campaign this summer.

Ms Glassenbury said our skin didn’t need to be sunburnt to be damaged and warned that incidental exposure, from “walking the dog or gardening”, could be deadly.

“Check the UV level before going outdoors and if it’s 3 or above, cover up using all five forms of sun protection,” she said. She said UV levels were typically above 3 from late August to late April and urged Victorians to make protective habits – from applying sunscreen to grabbing a hat at the door – part of their daily routine like “brushing your teeth”.

It comes as Australians continue to be priced out of skin checks, unable to afford gap payments which can be upwards of $100.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Dr Nicole Higgins said the cost of dressing and materials meant clinics lost money when they bulk billed checks.

“Skin checks are life saving and should be affordable for everyone in Australia – we have the highest rates of melanoma in the world,” she said.