Skin Cancer in Australia
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. This is due largely to our climate, the fact that many of us have fair skin that isn’t suited to such harsh conditions, our proximity to the equator and of course our social attitudes and love for the great outdoors. Each year over 1600 Australians will die from skin cancer. The good news is that YOU can minimize your chances of developing skin cancer by being SunSmart.
Who is at risk?
Everyone in Australia is at risk of developing skin cancer due to high levels of UV radiation throughout the year.
You are at increased risk of developing skin cancer if you have:
- lots of moles or freckles
- fair skin that burns easily and does not tan
- light coloured eyes (blue or green), light coloured hair (blonde or red)
- suffered sunburns, particularly as a child
- a family history of skin cancer
- used solaria
- spent lots of time in the sun, even if sunscreen was used.
Types of skin cancer
There are three main types of skin cancer named after the type of cell they develop from: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma.
Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are also known as non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC).
 Basal cell carcinomas (BCC):
- are the most common type, accounting for about two-thirds of skin cancers
- grow slowly over months or years
- usually appear as small, round or flattened spots that are red, pale or pearly in colour
- some are scaly like a patch of eczema
- may look like an ulcer or sore that doesn't heal
Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC):
- account for about one-third of skin cancers
- can grow quickly over several months
- usually scaly red areas that may bleed, ulcers or non-healing sores that may be painful
- appears on skin most often exposed to the sun
- most common in people over 50, but can develop in younger people.
*Whilst SCCs are not as dangerous as melanomas they can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. SCCs found on the lips and ears have a high risk of spreading, so if you are concerned about a spot that wont heal see your GP immediately.
 Melanomas:
- are the least common but most aggressive form of skin cancer
- grow and spread rapidly
- can start in normal looking skin, or in a freckle or mole
- can grow anywhere in the body - not just areas exposed to the sun
* if treated early,95% of melanomas can be cured.
* Note: not all skin cancers look like the photographs above, these are for illustrative purposes only.
Other spots to watch for
Dysplastic naevi
Dysplastic naevi are moles that have an irregular shape and have an uneven colour. People with many dysplastic naevi are more likely to develop melanoma. If you have these moles, you should regularly check for any changes and look for new spots on the skin. If you notice any changes, you should see your doctor immediately.
Solar keratoses (sunspots)
- usually occur in people aged over 40
- appear on the head, neck, arms and legs
- usually flattish, scaly patches
- may be pale or red, and may sting if scratched
- may develop into squamous cell cancers.
They are not a skin cancer but they can be a pre-curser for squamous cell carcinoma and a risk factor for basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. They appear on sun exposed skin usually in people aged 40 and over, and are a sign that the body has had a lot of exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR).
Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC)
NMSC is the most common cancer in Australia. Cases of NMSC are not routinely reported to cancer registries but data obtained from population surveys suggest that roughly 374,000 Australians (equivalent to 1.8% of the population) are treated for NMSC each year.
In 2002 it was estimated that 256,000 people were treated for BCC and 118,000 people were treated for SCC. NMSC are often self detected and are usually removed in doctor’s surgeries.
In Australia in 2005 there were 405 deaths reported from NMSC in Australia (275 males and 129 females).
The estimated total treatment cost for non-melanoma skin cancer during 2000-01 was $264 million making skin cancer, in financial terms, the most costly burden to the health system.
Melanoma in Australia
Recent reports state that roughly 9,524 Australians were diagnosed with melanoma in 2003 (5,535 men and 3,989 women) (AIHW 2007) making melanoma the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in Australia (behind prostate, bowel and breast cancer). There were 1273 recorded deaths from melanoma in 2005 (862 men and 411 woman) (ABS 2007).
Melanoma is the most common diagnosed cancers in young Australians aged 12-24 years old. Nearly 9% of melanoma cases are diagnosed in people aged under 35 years old whilst 29.5% in those aged 35-54, 40% in those aged 55-74 and 22% in those aged 75 or older (AIHW 2007).
Melanoma in the ACT
Cancer in the ACT (1998-2004) reported that melanoma of the skin was the second most common diagnosed cancer in both males and females in the ACT. According to the most recent cancer statistics during 2000-2004, 1 in 29 men and 1 in 40 women in the ACT developed melanoma of skin before the age of 75 years.
A difference in mortality rates between males and females was also recorded, with females being lower. This may be due to the fact that men tend to seek medical attention in the later course of the disease more then women, therefore decreasing their chances of survival.
The ACT Chief Health Officers Report- 2006 – noted that melanoma incidence rates for males and women in the ACT were consistent with the Australian rates in 2001
To access past ACT Health reports on cancer rates in the ACT, click here
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