Queensland is the skin cancer capital of the world. Approximately 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer before the age of 70 and, concerningly, the number of skin cancers in Queensland is forecast to increase for several decades. Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer and costs the Australian health care system approximately $2 billion annually.
Skin Cancer Prevention Queensland (SCPQ), co-chaired by internationally respected skin cancer prevention researchers, has a broad ranging membership including government departments, academic, public health and research sectors, clinician representative organisations, non-government education and patient advocacy organisations. Initially established in 2008 as information sharing network, SCPQ’s governance has matured through reflections and learnings by collaborative members to be an influential policy network.
SCPQ has used its collective power to effectively engage with, support and influence changes in private industries that have led to new initiatives that can contribute to skin cancer prevention. In 2022, through a world first collaboration, SCPQ released the ‘Towards a Future of Reduced Skin Cancer Burden for Queenslanders’ report. The report establishes ambitious targets for a reduction in skin cancer incidence. This report and the skin cancer reduction targets are providing a platform to strengthen partnerships and maximise the collective impact of member organisations’ primary prevention and skin awareness efforts.
Learnings and insights along SCPQ’s transformational journey from an information sharing to an influential policy network driving action to reduce skin cancer rates in Queensland will be shared.