As shocking new statistics show the continued popularity of tanning among young people and their belief that getting skin cancer is unlikely, a ground-breaking sun safe campaign is ramping up to change the attitudes and behaviours of 18-30-year-old Australians.
The $7.3 million campaign by the Australian Government and Cancer Council Australia brings together content creators, a music festival, fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands and publishers to ‘End the Trend’ of suntanning.
The latest research shows most young Australians (74%) believe their risk of getting skin cancer is unlikely.
Almost 1 in 3 young Australians (31%) believe it’s fine to suntan at their age and fewer than 1 in 10 are consistently using all five forms of sun protection – Slip. Slop. Slap. Seek. Slide.
Skin cancers are one of the most common types of cancer in Australia and cost our health system around $1.9 billion each year. Two in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime, and one person dies from the disease every 6 hours.
More than 50 digital content creators including melanoma survivor, Olympic swimming contender and world champion Sam Short, are informing and motivating followers to be smarter in the sun.
The campaign is occurring across social media, Spotify, YouTube and more, with the latest video advertisement out today.
The rollout comes as pioneering, lifesaving melanoma researchers Professor Georgina Long and Professor Richard Scolyer were named 2024 Australians of the Year. The Professors have pledged to use their platform to urge Australians to be sun safe and stop glamourising tanning, as they continue their vital work to save the lives of people diagnosed with melanoma.
