Spring is in the air - new skin cancer focus on youth
Young people across Australia need to be the major focus of a new campaign against deadly skin cancer, according to a report conducted by The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth).
The report findings coincide with significant new initiatives announced today by the Victorian Health Minister Daniel Andrews to prevent skin cancer.
VicHealth applauds the new initiatives, and have also committed to additional funding of $2 million over the next four years to SunSmart.
“Of all cancers, skin cancer is the most expensive burden on our health system. Skin cancer is also one of the most preventable cancers in Australia,” VicHealth CEO Todd Harper says.
The VicHealth report, by leading health experts, shows there needs to be a renewed focus on teenagers and adolescents as many do not recognise the dangers of too much sun.
As Australia braces itself for a very hot summer and following record winter heat waves around the country the VicHealth study shows that many more young people are not protecting themselves against sunburn.
“More than 1600 Australians die from skin cancer each year, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, with at least two in three Australians being diagnosed with skin cancer before 70 years of age,” Mr Harper says.
“Skin cancers account for close to 80% of all cancers diagnosed in Australia. Many of these potentially life-threatening cancers are preventable with hats, clothes and shade,” Mr Harper says.
The VicHealth report also recommends a major new emphasis on both built and natural shade, around children play areas, sports, beach and water activities.
The review recommends making it a major priority to deal with the effects climate change will have on skin cancer rates.
“Over 380,000 Australians are treated for skin cancer each year, that’s over 1,000 people every day,” Mr Harper says.
In the past 20 years, VicHealth has invested more than $12 million in the SunSmart program aimed at reducing harmful UV exposure.
“Over the next 20 years, SunSmart is predicted to prevent 1,900 premature deaths, reduce the number of melanoma cases by 20,000 and non-melanoma skin cancer by 49, 000,” Mr Harper says.
“Every dollar spent on preventing skin cancer saves at least $2.32 down the track, mainly in terms of health bills, not to mention the human suffering,” Mr Harper says.
“While we have seen big changes in social norms and our health around skin cancer and going in the sun, young people need to be a major focus in the coming years,” Mr Harper adds.