Cancer experts want the State Government to spend $2.2 million a year to prevent skin cancer, as new data reveals the number of young people treated at hospital EDs for severe sunburn has more than doubled since 2014.
Cancer Council WA’s Cancer Prevention and Research Manager Melissa Ledger said the data showed the need for urgent action by the Government.
“In 2023, 107 young West Aussies aged between 10 and 19 years sought medical help for sunburn in emergency departments — this is a huge increase compared to 2014 when 44 presented to emergency,” Ms Ledger said.
“Young people are our greatest asset, but they spend a lot of time outdoors and there is not enough being done to help them…the Government must create an environment that supports young people to be SunSmart.”
She called for support for high schools and sporting clubs to develop minimum SunSmart policies and standards, as well as shade to be included as part of the planning requirements for new public building and infrastructure projects, and media campaigns to target young people.
The damage caused in the teenage years significantly increased the risks of skin cancer in later life and a recent study revealed that over the past few years, SunSmart advertisements and campaigns may not have reached their target audiences because of the number of platforms needed to advertise on.
Ms Ledger said the council could not afford to advertise on each platform.
“We need to see $2.2 million each year invested to build on the work of the last 40 years, so these worrying numbers don’t continue to rise,” she said.
“Most ED presentations occur during December and January when UV levels are extreme across WA. These numbers are just the tip of the iceberg; we know most people don’t see their doctor or go to ED when they get sunburnt.”
With an annual cost to the WA health system of $172 million for skin cancer treatment, the council said action was needed now.
“This data is a great reminder that the greatest risk factor for skin cancer is overexposure to UV and this is largely preventable by properly protecting our community from the sun.”
A survey of nearly 5000 Australians’ sun smart behaviours, published late last year in Current Oncology, found that 67% and 55% reported wearing a hat and applying sunscreen respectively, almost all or all the time when outdoors for more than 30 minutes in summer.
Routine sunscreen application to the face was reported by 56% of participants and 36% reported routine application to other body parts.
Women and those with sun-sensitive phenotypes were more likely to practice sun protection measures than men and those with less sensitive skin, with the notable exception that men were more likely to wear a hat.