Skin cancer is the ‘forgotten cancer’, yet it is Western Australia’s most common type of cancer. For this reason, it must be a major focus for Cancer Council WA and the next WA Government. 

We know exposure to UV can damage our skin and cause skin cancers, including deadly melanoma.

When it comes to UV, we also know that the more our children and young people are exposed, the more skin damage they accumulate, which directly increases their risk of skin cancer later in life.

This risk is entirely preventable.

For many children, families and communities, it’s hard to be SunSmart when there are so few well-shaded facilities and public places, including schools.

That’s why we need our government to lead the state with a comprehensive plan to prevent skin cancer. Specifically, Cancer Council WA calls on the next State Government for the following:

• Shade provision needs to be included in local and state planning regulations for all new public facilities (including schools), all redevelopments of infrastructure and parks.
• Schools (primary and high school) need to introduce minimum standards for SunSmart policies that ensure school uniforms include the requirement for a truly SunSmart hat, and no other.
• Invest $2.2M per year to increase funding for SunSmart public education campaigns informing our community of the serious health effects of UV exposure.
• Invest in research that helps Cancer Council WA monitor the impact of policy on reducing UV radiation exposure.