Australia has the highest incidence of melanoma in the world for both males and females. Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70. In Victoria, more than 40,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually. In 2013, 460 Victorians died from skin cancer – more than the state road toll. The total cost to the state health system is enormous – over $500 million just to treat non-melanoma skin cancer in 2010. This makes skin cancer the most costly burden on the health system of all cancers. Tragically, skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers.
Ultraviolet radiation (UV) is both the major cause of skin cancer and the best natural source of vitamin D. SunSmart aims to minimise the human cost of skin cancer in Victoria by taking a leadership role to promote a balance between the benefits and harms of ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure and the links with vitamin D.
Day One Early Learning Centres have sunscreen stations to ensure sunscreen application at the start of the day. Our educators ensure sunscreen is reapplied as needed during the day.
