Looking after your skin health is always essential, but for one week every year we have a special reminder about the importance of taking action against skin cancer, knowing your risk, and protecting yourself from future disease.

National Skin Cancer Action Week runs from 18 to 24 November 2024 and is all about understanding the importance of early skin cancer detection and practising sun safety, particularly with the warmer months upon us!

We live in the melanoma capital of the world.
Two in three Australians are diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70.

An initiative of Cancer Council Australia and the Australasian College of Dermatologists, National Skin Cancer Action Week encourages all Australians to use sun protection (to prevent sunburn and skin damage, therefore reducing risk of skin cancers including potentially deadly melanomas) and to get into the habit of having regular skin cancer checks.

One Australian dies from melanoma every five hours.

Fortunately, most skin cancers can be prevented by adopting good sun protection habits. Cancer Council Australia estimates that we spend more than $1 billion every year treating skin cancer, but we could prevent majority of skin cancers by following the six steps – Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide, and Skin Check:

• Slip on sun-protective clothing
• Slop on SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen
• Slap on a broad-brimmed hat
• Seek shade
• Slide on Australian standard sunglasses
• See a doctor once a year for a skin check

A combination of these preventative measures is key to reducing your skin cancer risk.

More than 2,000 Australians die from skin cancer every year.
Melanoma is the most common skin cancer in young Australians aged 15 to 39.

But the disease doesn't have to be fatal. If caught early, skin cancer has a cure rate of 99 per cent, which is why regular skin checks are vital for all Australians.

This National Skin Cancer Action Week, take action for your skin health and get your full-body skin cancer check. It could save your life.

We are proud to support National Skin Cancer Action Week 2024.
Get your skin check at one of our centres and help save lives — maybe even your own.