Rise in Skin Cancer to Cost Australians $700M

The incidence of skin cancer in Australia is expected to steadily rise as the baby boomer generation grow older. As with the incidence of skin cancer rising, the cost of disease is set to jump 40% to $700M within the next 5 years. Read More Here

Epworth Hospital director of dermatology, Professor Rod Sinclair, expects skin cancer costs will continue to rise for the next 20 years. A lack of childhood education on the importance of sun safety means that baby boomers are now paying the price for years of under-protected time in the sun.

Australians are urged to undertake routine skin examinations to help identify any signs of skin cancer. Those who are particularly at high risk include individuals who;

– were exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) during childhood and adolescence
– have repeated exposure to UVR over their lifetime
– have episodes of severe sunburn
– have a light complexion (red or fair hair; blue or green eyes; skin that burns easily, freckles and doesn’t tan)
– are older
– have had a previous non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC)
– have a personal or family history of melanoma
– have a large number of moles
– have unusual types of moles (eg dysplastic naevus)
– are immunosuppressed (including organ transplant recipients)
– work outdoors