Australia is globally known as being among the countries in the world that are the most exposed to the sun. Although our climate can and does encourage a vigorous and sports oriented lifestyle, the climate also exposes Australians to very high levels of skin cancer. Indeed, skin cancer has been the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Australia and the burden is still persisting in 2026.

It is not a choice but rather a necessity especially to people who live in high UV areas like Perth and Western Australia. The positive news is that the enormous percentage of skin cancers can be prevented through the appropriate knowledge, habits, and medical assistance.

This is a comprehensive, practical guide to skin cancer prevention based on the existing information and expert opinion of doctors such as Dr Shaun Segal, which would help Australians to take care of their skin throughout their lives.

Australia is a high risk country with regard to skin cancer.

Rates of skin cancer in Australia are prompted by the joint action of environmental and demographic factors:

• Australia is known to experience some of the highest indexes of UV in the world, with a UV index going well above UV 11 in the summer season (extreme).

   

• UV radiation causes skin cancers in up to 95 percent of the cases.

   

• Over two out of every three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer at the age of 70.

   

• Melanoma is one of the most prevalent cancers among the Australians with ages between 20-49.

   

• The most common type of cancer treatments in the country is non-melanoma skin cancer (BCC and SCC).

   

Perth is in the hot sun all through the year with a high UV index even in winter seasons–so it is very essential to be constantly covered.

Knowing UV radiation and Skin Damage.

What is UV radiation?

The ultraviolet radiation is the invisible energy that the sun produces and it destroys the skin cells. Human beings are susceptible to two major types:

• UVA: has a deep penetration, which leads to permanent damage and ageing of the skin.

   

• UVB: produces sunburn, and it kills DNA directly.

   

The two are skin cancer risk factors.

The reasons behind a silent build up of damage.

UV damage is cumulative. You might not realize the impacts of it in years or decades, but with every exposure this is lifetime risk. This is why:

• Exposure of children and adolescents to the sun is particularly detrimental.

   

• No burn does not imply no harm.

   

• Even light exposure on a regular basis still causes risk.

   

Prevention should therefore be life long and continual.

Main Ideal of Preventing Skin Cancer: Create less UV exposure.

Prevention is based on the fact that:

• Restrict the amount of UV on your skin.

   

This is done by behaviour, defense mechanisms and medical surveillance.

Master Sun-Smart Behaviour (Daily Habits Matter)

The Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide campaign adopted by Australia is very applicable in the year 2026.

Key habits that reduce risk:

• It is best to avoid the high UV-periods (usually between 10am 4pm).

   

• Shade is to be sought whenever out of doors.

   

• During cloudy or cool days, be careful.

   

• Keep in mind reflected UV of sand, water and concrete.

   

The UV rates in Perth could be harmful even during winter so it should be an all-year-round practice to protect the skin.

Wear Sunscreen (More Than Once in awhile)

What the evidence shows

Frequent use of sunscreens will help in lowering chances of:

• Melanoma

   

• Squamous cell carcinoma

   

• Actinic keratoses (benign lesions)

   

Best practice (2026 standards):

• Apply general purpose SPF 50 or higher sunscreen.

   

• Use abundantly (the majority use less than half the necessitate amount)

   

• Re-apply after every 2 hours- or less often in case of swimming or sweating.

   

• Use sunscreen 20 minutes before the sun.

   

Sunscreen alone will never be a good cover, it is better when used together with clothing and shade.

Defensive Clothing is among the best defences.

Clothing offers uniform and dependable UV coverage that does not require any reuse.

Recommended protection:

• Long sleeved shirts and trousers.

   

• Tightly-woven garments or UPF fabrics.

   

• Broad brimmed hats (cover head, ears, neck)

   

• UV-protective sunglasses

   

UPF-rated clothing has become one of the most useful preventive resources in the case of outdoor employees and active people.

Do not expose to UV Artificially (Tanning Beds)

The facts

Tanning beds produce UVB and UVA focused radiations.

Previously used before the age of 35 makes it very prone to melanoma.

In Australia, commercial solariums are outlawed, but the solariums in the country are still available privately and abroad.

The thing is that there is no safe tan natural or artificial.

Conduct Self-Skin Checks on a regular basis.

Why self-checks matter

Several skin cancers are initially observed by the family members or the patients. Monthly self-checks will assist you in detecting:

• New lesions

   

• Alterations in dimensions, colour, shape.

   

• Non-healing sores

   

• Spots which are not like the others (“ugly duckling” sign)

   

Areas people often miss:

• Scalp

   

• Back

   

• Soles of feet

   

• Under nails

   

• Behind ears

   

Self-checks are not used in lieu of professional exams- but are greatly beneficial in early detection.

Make regular professional skin checks.

The importance of the specialist checks.

Senior specialists in skin cancer:

• Earlier detect cancers than in visual self-inspection.

   

• Apply dermoscopy and imaging technology.

   

• Track changes over time

   

• Determine subtle or uncharacteristic lesions.

   

Better screening can be done after every 3-6 months among people who are at high risk and once in a year among other people.

Physicians such as Dr Shaun Segal are more interested in preventing rather than treating- keeping the patients ahead of the attack.

School Nurse Association. (n.d.). Protect Children and Teenagers Early.

The importance of prevention in the early stages.

Studies indicate that intense sunburn during childhood highly predisposes people to melanoma in their adulthood. Early intervention is life-long.

Key strategies:

• Hats and protective apparel should be encouraged.

   

• Use sunscreen on a daily basis when outdoors.

   

• Behave like model adults in relation to sun.

   

• Campaign against shade and sun-safe schools.

   

The prevention of skin cancer begins much earlier than when one becomes an adult.

Learn Your Personal Risk Profile.

Others are more prone to danger and are advised to go the extra mile such as those with:

• Fair or freckled skin

   

• Light hair and eye colour

   

• Family history of melanoma

   

• Previous skin cancers

   

• Suppressed immune systems

   

• Numerous occupational sun exposure.

   

Individual risk is specific to prevention and monitoring with the assistance of specialists.

Nutrition, Skin Health, and Lifestyle.

Although the main cause of skin cancer is the UV exposure, the health in general does not go to waste.

The positive lifestyle factors include:

• Risk prevention (avoiding smoking).

   

• Eating well and keeping your system in good health.

   

• Staying hydrated

   

• Watching after an illness or immunosuppression.

   

Nonetheless, UV protection cannot be substituted with supplements or diets.

Prevention Is Year Long Not Seasonal.

The most prominent misconception is that individuals do not need to use the sun protection only during summer. At Perth, and to a great extent elsewhere in Australia:

• There is a high UV level throughout the year.

   

• The exposure is cumulative rather than the intensity.

   

Protection on a daily basis even in the course of daily going out is very crucial in mitigating lifetime risk.

Dr Shaun Segal has created Preventive Approach to Skin Cancer.

Dr Shaun Segal highlights the point that early detection and prevention are inseparable.

His approach includes:

• Education on sun safety

   

• Risk-based screening plans

   

• Higher order diagnostic surveillance.

   

• Stress-resistance strategies in the long-term.

   

With the empowerment of patients by giving them the knowledge about skin cancer and regular check-up, a lot of skin cancers can be avoided–or spotted at their earliest and most manageable stage.

Concluding Remarks: Prevention Saves Lives.

Australia has skin cancer–which is widespread but also preventable. In a high UV area such as Perth, it is even more important that prevention is important, not less.

By combining:

• Sun-smart behaviour

   

• Sunscreen and protective clothing.

   

• Regular self-checks

   

• Experts of the skin analysis.

   

Australians will have a chance to decrease their risk of skin cancer dramatically and save their health in the long term.

Prevention does not mean to stay indoors, but to do outdoors in a safe and secure way.