Poster Presentation Skin Cancer 2024

  A brief review of the history of skin cancer prevention campaigns in Australia (#183)

Miranda Wallace 1 , Natasha Abeysekera 2 3 4
  1. School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
  2. Department of Dermatology, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Birtinya, Queensland, Australia
  3. Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
  4. Department of Population Health, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, representing a significant economic burden to our economy. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure is estimated to contribute to greater than 95% of skin cancers in Australia, and changes in modifying exposure have been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of skin cancer development.1 Skin cancer awareness and prevention campaigns commenced in the early 1980s and have evolved over time. The campaigns over time have adapted to use various tools to promote uptake of campaign messaging, and subsequent changes in behaviour around harmful sun exposure. More recent campaigns such as the ‘Protect your skin’ campaign in 2021-2022 and ‘If you could see UV’ campaign in late 2023-2024 aim to increase sun protective behaviours among adolescents and has a broader delivery through mass media channels, such as social media platforms, apps, online video streaming websites, and traditional advertising strategies. By reviewing the history of skin cancer prevention campaigns in Australia, it may help contribute to the reflection, and creation of more effective campaigns into the future.

  1. 1. Arnold M, de Vries E, Whiteman DC, Jemal A, Bray F, Parkin DM, Soerjomataram I. Global burden of cutaneous melanoma attributable to ultraviolet radiation in 2012. Int J Cancer. 2018; 143: 1305-14.