Record numbers of people over 40 are being diagnosed with melanoma, according to the Australian Institute for Health and Wellness.
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world despite skin cancer being one of the most preventable cancers through sun protection measures.
According to the Australian Institute for Health and Wellness, melanoma rates have increased from 54 to 69 cases per 100,000 people since 2000. People over 40 are being diagnosed most often.
Experts attribute the rate increases for older populations to a previous lack of skin cancer awareness and public knowledge campaigns.
The financial burden of increasing skin cancer rates costs the Australian healthcare system $1.6 billion each year, according to the Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD). This includes the expenditure for diagnosis, treatment and pathology of skin cancer.
The ACD reports that skin cancer is the most expensive cancer to treat in Australia, costing more than breast, prostate or lung cancer. The ACD also says that ongoing preventative measures and education are the best way to reduce high diagnosis rates.
Ellouise Harrison, a dermal clinician at Thrive Skin Clinic in Thirroul, says sun protection is the most important aspect of maintaining healthy skin and overall health.
“At this stage in time, aesthetic interventions like anti-wrinkle injections or dermal filler are still quite popular. However day to day I am still addressing lots of sun damage with laser intervention and other topicals, and trying to reverse the damage that had been built up over the years,” Ms Harrison said.
Sunscreens, the most important and readily available method of sun protection, can be formulated to address any concern. Australia is one of the strictest countries in the world when it comes to the manufacturing and regulation of sunscreen and regular daily use of sunscreen, at minimum SPF15, reduces the risk of melanoma by 50%.
“Living here in Australia I feel we have a general understanding of why it’s important to be wearing our sun protection but I think there is still a gap of people that don’t. To me I feel it’s so important if we have a solution that’s so accessible to us – it’s a prevention of skin cancer- I think why aren’t we doing it,” Ms Harrison said.
“I think it comes down to people not enjoying different formulations over the years, you know whether it be too sticky or too greasy, or that fact that they don’t want to reapply but it’s worth it now and in the end.”
