Australia has one of the highest rates of melanoma diagnoses in the world. Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70.
Best known for our iconic ‘Slip! Slop! Slap!’ campaign featuring Sid the Seagull, SunSmart has been working to change social norms relating to sun protection since 1981.
Our mission is to reduce skin cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality through a targeted prevention and early detection program. This is achieved through grassroots health promotion work that is underpinned by state-wide media campaigns. Our aim is to target priority populations and improve awareness, knowledge, attitudes and behaviour relating to UV exposure.
SunSmart is jointly funded by Cancer Council Victoria and the Victorian Government, and has been a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Radiation since 2004.