Australia and New Zealand have the highest skin cancer rates in the world. About two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by age 70. The UV index is high for much of the year, even on cloudy days.
The public health message "Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide" is known by most Australians:
- Slip on sun-protective clothing.
- Slop on SPF 30+ (or 50+) broad-spectrum sunscreen.
- Slap on a broad-brimmed hat.
- Seek shade.
- Slide on sunglasses.
Protection is recommended when the UV index is 3 or above.
Skin checks are a routine part of Australian general practice, often using a dermatoscope. There is no national screening program; checks target higher-risk people (fair skin, many moles, past skin cancer, immunosuppression, outdoor workers).
Coming from India, where skin cancer is rare in darker skin types, this will be a major new area. Learn to recognise melanoma, BCC and SCC, and remember that acral lentiginous melanoma (palms, soles, nails) occurs in people with darker skin.