Why Are There So Many Cases of Skin Cancer in Australia?

While Australians are blessed with bright, sunny and warm weather in comparison to most parts of the world, with this blessing also comes a higher risk of developing skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in Australia, with two in three Australians expected to be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer by age 70. This means that one of the most important and sensible things any Australian can do is conduct a regular skin cancer check either by themselves or with a qualified skin cancer doctor.

But why are there so many cases of skin cancer in Australia? This article will go over some of the reasons why skin cancer is so prevalent in the country.

Australians Spend More Time Outdoors

Australia is known for being an active country, producing some of the finest athletes in the world across a number of sports. One of the reasons why skin cancer is so common in this country is simply because Australians spend more time outdoors on average than a number of other countries. This means they’re exposed to more UV rays than people in other countries, and thus, the risk of developing skin cancer is also increased. While this shouldn’t be a total cause for alarm if you enjoy your outdoor leisure activities, it does mean that you have an increased responsibility to ensure you’re conducting a regular skin cancer check on your own, with a friend or family member, or with the assistance of a skin cancer clinic.

Australians Don’t Use Sunscreen As Much As They Should

A lot of Australians report not using sunscreen regularly, or don’t use it properly. Some may also simply be using a sunscreen with an inferior SPF rating that doesn’t match the intensity of the UV index when they’re spending time outdoors on a given day. Not protecting your skin properly can make it vulnerable to harmful UV rays. Multiple studies have concluded that prolonged exposure to these UV rays can damage the DNA in skin cells and lead them to grow out of control, which causes skin cancer. Sunscreen can not only have aesthetic benefits for your skin, but the main purpose it was invented for is to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays that come from being exposed to direct sunlight. Even if the UV index is mild when you’re planning on being outdoors, it’s always best practice to apply sunscreen anyway.

Australia Has a Lot of People from High-Risk Groups

There are some groups of people who are more at risk of skin cancer, such as those with a family history of skin cancer, those who have been exposed to the sun for prolonged periods due to outdoor work, or those who have a history of sunburn. Certain skin types are also much more vulnerable to developing skin cancer than others. Regardless of whether or not you’re from a high-risk group, you should act as if you are and make sure you conduct a regular skin cancer check.