STATE PLAN TARGET S2: Reduce the number of potentially avoidable deaths for people under 75 to 150 per 100,000 people by 2016
One in 14 males and one in 23 females in NSW are likely to develop potentially deadly melanoma of the skin by their 85th birthday, according to new figures released today to mark the start of National Skin Cancer Action Week 2007.
Assistant Health Minister (Cancer) Verity Firth said the new figures from the NSW Government's Cancer Institute confirm that melanoma rates in the ten years to 2005 rose by 24 per cent in women and 16 per cent in men.
"My message today is a simple one: there is nothing healthy about tanning - be it from the sun or artificial tanning devices such as solariums," said Ms Firth.
"While overall melanoma is the fourth most common cancer in NSW, it is the number one cancer amongst men aged 25 to 54 and women aged 15 to 29."
In 2005, 3,505 new cases of melanoma were diagnosed in NSW; this year the number is expected to be 3,800; and by 2010 it is projected to hit 4,200.
"This is an alarming jump in such a short period of time," said Ms Firth.
Also according to the latest figures, 460 NSW residents lost their lives to melanoma in 2005 and a further 38,200 residents are living with the disease.
"But because melanoma is caused by UV exposure and sunburn, it is a largely preventable cancer," said Ms Firth.
"Prevention can be achieved through the use of some pretty simple skin-protection measures such as the wearing of long-sleeved shirts, sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats and sunscreen as well as staying in the shade during the hottest part of the day.
"Unfortunately, research which I released just a couple of months ago revealed that too few in the community are heeding this advice."
According to the NSW Government's Lifestyle and Cancer Survey more than a quarter of NSW residents surveyed got sunburnt at least three times in the last 12 months, with one in three (34 per cent) appearing to believe the old urban myth that a suntan makes you healthier and burning an acceptable way to get one.
More results from the Lifestyle and Cancer Survey, as well as the NSW School Students Health Behaviours Survey, are attached.
"The colour you get from tanning is not healthy - it's your skin cells in trauma and it may only take one dangerous exposure to UV radiation for a melanoma to develop," said Ms Firth.
"In fact, harmful damage to the skin can occur even if there are no signs of burning, and like other cancers, early detection is still the surest way to beat melanoma.
"So make sure you get your GP to regularly check your skin for abnormalities, particularly if you're a person that spends a lot of time in the sun or at a solarium."
To drive home this important message, the NSW Government is currently finalising a $2.1 million public health campaign - Dark Side of Tanning - which is due to hit TV screens over the coming summer months.
SKIN CANCER: Health statistics...
- Australia has the world's highest incidence of melanoma, with this disease the most common cancer amongst NSW men aged 25-54 and NSW females aged 15-29 - and its prevalence is growing;
- The Australia health system spends more money on diagnosing and treating skin cancer than on any other cancer.
COMMUNITY ATTITUDES TOWARDS SKIN CARE...
Lifestyle and Cancer Survey...
In late 2006, the NSW Government's Cancer Institute conducted the very first Lifestyle and Cancer Survey in an effort to better understand the community's behaviours, knowledge and attitudes with respect to a range of lifestyle factors and cancer.
The key findings with respect to skin cancer were:
- Almost three-fifths of those surveyed reported being sunburnt in the last 12 months, with more than a quarter reporting they got burnt more than three times;
- Sunglasses are the most commonly adopted sun protection measure, with 53 per cent of respondents always wearing them when outdoors;
- Only 11 per cent of respondents said they regularly use sunscreen;
- 64 per cent of respondents nominated the risk of skin cancer/melanoma as the main reason for using sun protection measures;
- 34 per cent of respondents agreed that they feel healthier with a suntan.
NSW School Students Health Behaviours Survey...
The findings from the Cancer Institute's Lifestyle and Cancer Survey add to earlier research undertaken by the NSW Health Department.
The Department's 2005 NSW School Students Health Behaviours Survey of secondary students aged 12 to 17 found:
- 35 per cent wear a hat (down 6% since 2002)
- 26 per cent stay mainly in the shade between 11am and 3pm (down 2% since 2002)
- 43 per cent use sunscreen (down 20% since 1993)
- 25 per cent did not want a suntan;
- 30 per cent believe you only get skin cancer if you get sunburnt often;
- 79 per cent had been sunburnt at least once during the last summer.
