The vast majority of skin cancers, including melanoma, are caused by over-exposure to the sun— specifically ultraviolet (UV) radiation (or UV rays), a form of invisible energy that can also come from artificial sources like solariums.
Unfortunately, Queensland has one of the highest rates of skin cancer anywhere in the world, with more than 4,000 people diagnosed each year. The good news is that skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, and by arming ourselves with the right information and taking the correct precautions, we can lower our individual risk of getting skin cancer.
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UV radiation is invisible—and we can’t actually feel it. That’s what makes it so dangerous, particularly here in Queensland, where we require protection year-round from strong UV. Every time your skin is exposed to UV radiation, it changes the way your skin cells behave, increasing your risk of skin cancer over time.
On a summer day in Queensland, it can take as little as 10-15 minutes to get sunburnt, increasing your risk of skin cancer. Even if you don’t get sunburnt, you can still be damaging your skin.
Following the five steps of sun safety can protect your skin from the sun’s uv rays, so it’s worth making sure you incorporate a combination of our ‘5 S’s’ every time the UV is 3 or above and you’re outside.
Clothes that cover the majority of your skin (like loose-fitting, long-sleeved tops and long pants) will add a layer of protection against damaging UV radiation while keeping you cool. Clothes with a close-weave fabric (cotton, linen or polyester) are particularly good for protecting your skin. Darker colours will absorb more UV than lighter colours, helping reduce the amount of UV that can reach your skin.
Most people understand sunscreen is important, but unfortunately most people apply too little, too infrequently. Sunscreen isn’t a suit of armour and should be used in conjunction with the other steps on this list. Firstly, the sunscreen should ideally be SPF50 or SPF50+, broad-spectrum and water-resistant. There are a range of Cancer Council sunscreens available which you can check out here.
Make sunscreen application a part of your daily routine. It needs to be applied to clean, dry skin at least 20 minutes before going outside. The average adult will need around a teaspoon of sunscreen for their face and neck, a teaspoon for each limb, and a teaspoon each for their back and front. This adds up to 7 teaspoons, or 35 millilitres for a full body application. You should reapply every two hours, or immediately after sweating, swimming or towel drying.
A broad-brimmed, legionnaire or bucket hat that covers your face, neck and ears is the best option, as caps and visors don’t provide enough protection from the sun’s rays.
Reducing exposure to the sun’s UV rays doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the outdoors. Shade alone can reduce your UV exposure by 75%, so choosing places where there is adequate natural shade, or bringing along a portable shelter or pop-up umbrella, is a great way to get the best of both worlds. However, when staying shady, ensure you also use other forms of sun protection as UV rays can still reach you through reflection.
Protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays is crucial, but the sunglasses you choose really matter. A close-fitting, wrap-around style of glasses that meet the Australian Standard (AS) 1067 (category 2, 3 or 4) and/or provide an Eye Protection Factor (EPF) of 9 or 10 can reduce UV radiation exposure to the eyes by up to 98% when worn together with a sun safe hat.
Skin cancer can be deadly, especially when found late and treatment is delayed. The good news is that with early detection, almost all skin cancer can be successfully treated.
One of the most important factors in early detection is getting to know your body and your skin and getting regular skin checks. Remember to check your skin regularly and see your doctor if you notice any moles, freckles or lumps that are new or changing in size, shape or colour. This also applies to any sores that have not healed within 4-6 weeks.
Use a mirror or ask someone to help you check your back and scalp regularly.
The use of sunbeds or solariums is linked with early-onset melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. There is no way to get a ‘safe’ tan in a solarium, which is why commercial solariums have been banned in Queensland since 2014 – and are now banned in every Australian state and territory where there were operators. Privately-owned solariums are just as dangerous, and we strongly advise against any sunbed or solarium use.
While the sun is an excellent source of vitamin D, here in Queensland, most of us get enough simply through incidental sun exposure: things like hanging out the washing, checking the mail and going about our daily business.
If you’re worried about your levels of vitamin D, speak to your doctor about how to ensure you’re getting enough while remaining safe from harmful UV rays.
The information available on this page should not be used as a substitute for advice from a properly qualified medical professional who can advise you about your own individual medical needs. It is not intended to constitute medical advice and is provided for general information purposes only. See our disclaimer.
