Health professionals

Skin check

Health professionals play an important role in the prevention, detection and management of skin cancer. We provide education, resources and support for health professionals based on the latest evidence-based cancer information.

Health professional training

SunSmart offers the following training to assist in the prevention, detection and management of skin cancer. 

NEW ONLINE LEARNING: The Prevention and Early Detection of Skin Cancer in General Practice

A six-hour online Active Learning activity will guide GPs and other health professionals through the epidemiology of skin cancers in Australia, skin cancer prevention and UV, along with the diagnosis and management of skin cancers.

RACGP accredited – 6 CPD hours (Educational Activities – 3 hours, Reviewing Performance – 3 hours).

Hear a GP's experience of the online learning

Access Cancer Council Victoria learning hub

Dermoscopy for Victorian General Practice Program

The Dermoscopy for Victorian General Practice Program has been operating since 2018 thanks to generous donations to Cancer Council Victoria and funding from the Victorian Government.

The program has now provided over 300 Victorian GPs with a fully subsidised handheld dermatoscope and skin cancer training including enrolment to the Australasian College of Dermatologists Practical Dermoscopy course.

Find out more about dermoscopy training

ThinkGP online education

The below six-hour online learning module (or three x 2 hour modules) on ThinkGP will guide GPs through the epidemiology of skin cancers in Australia, skin cancer prevention, UV, vitamin D awareness, along with the diagnosis and management of skin cancers.

RACGP accredited 6 CPD hours, ACRRM 6.00 CME PD.

Access ThinkGP

Resources for your practice

Are you looking for hard copy resources for your practice? We have a large range of skin cancer prevention and early detection resources including posters, flyers, brochures and booklets tailored to different audiences.

Order hard copy resources now

Most popular health professional resources:

Calculate your patient's risk of melanoma within the next five years with the Alfred Health melanoma risk calculator for health professionals.

SunSmart Global UV app and widget

The SunSmart Global UV app provides reliable real-time and forecast UV levels for locations across Australia and the world from reputable and trusted agencies. It translates this data into evidence-based health advice from Cancer Council Victoria to recommend sun protection for your location.

Download the SunSmart app

A widget added to your practice website enables you and your patients to access information without having to open a specific application. In this case, the free SunSmart widget provides you with the UV levels and sun protection times for your location without having to open the SunSmart app.

Download the SunSmart widget

FAQs about sunscreen

Are sunscreens safe?

In Australia we have some of the toughest regulations when it comes to assessment of medicines. And sunscreen is no exception. Each ingredient in sunscreen is assessed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for safety before it is released onto the market for Australians to use – including daily application. 

Sunscreens must also meet the requirements of the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2604:2012 Sunscreen products – Evaluation and classification.

How do you choose a sunscreen?

We generally say the best sunscreen is the one you’ll use and reapply. Try different products out until you find one you like. If you have an allergic reaction to a sunscreen, try another brand or look for a fragrance-free product such as a toddler or sensitive sunscreen.

When choosing a sunscreen pick one that:

  • is SPF50+
  • is water resistant and
  • is broad-spectrum (meaning it blocks both UVA and UVB).

What does SPF mean?

Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is a measure of protection sunscreen gives against UVB radiation. The rating tells you how long the sun’s UV would take to redden your skin compared with using no sunscreen. Cancer Council recommends SPF50+.

For example, in theory SPF50 would take you 50 times longer to burn than if you use no sunscreen. 

In lab conditions SPF50 filters 98% of UVB.

In reality, we know that many Australians do not apply the right amount of sunscreen to achieve the SPF stated on the bottle, so correct application is key.

What about sunscreen reactions and allergies?

All sunscreens in Australia are tightly regulated through the  Therapeutic Goods Administration.

The risk of allergies from sunscreen use is very small. If an allergic reaction to sunscreen occurs, it is usually caused by perfumes and/or preservatives in the product, not the ingredients that filter or block UV. For people who experience an allergic reaction to a sunscreen, try a fragrance-free product such as a toddler or sensitive sunscreen.

If you are concerned about reactions to sunscreen, Cancer Council recommends performing a usage test before applying a new sunscreen. While the usage test may show whether the skin is sensitive to an ingredient in the sunscreen, it may not always indicate an allergy, as this can also occur after repeated use of the product.

As with all products, sunscreen use should cease immediately and medical attention should be sought if any unusual reaction is observed. Professional assessment and testing by a dermatologist may help to identify the sunscreen ingredient causing the reaction.

How do you apply sunscreen correctly?

For sunscreen to work, correct application is essential. Many Aussies apply too little sunscreen and forget to re-apply. For the best protection:

  • Apply enough: The average-sized adult needs a teaspoon of sunscreen for their head and neck, each limb and for the front and the back of the body. That’s about 35ml of sunscreen or 7 teaspoons for one full body application. Use our sunscreen calculator as a guide.
  • Apply early and reapply: Sunscreen should be applied 20 minutes before you go outside and reapplied every two hours (whether or not the label tells you to do this). Remember to reapply after swimming or excessive sweating.

Don’t forget to check the expiry date and store below 30 degrees (not in the car!).

Does sunscreen impact vitamin D production?

Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D which is needed for strong bones, muscles and overall health. Levels naturally fluctuate across seasons and may be stored in the body for up to 60 days.

For most people, only a few minutes of sun exposure is required to maintain healthy levels most of the year. Most Victorians will get enough vitamin D during the summer months in just a few minutes through typical day to day UV exposure like hanging out the washing.

Population studies have shown that regular sunscreen use has little effect on vitamin D levels. Given the harmful effects of overexposure to UV radiation, extended and deliberate sun exposure without any form of sun protection when the UV Index is 3 or above is not recommended, even for those diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency.

If a patient is concerned about a vitamin D deficiency, you may consider supplementation.

How do I know when sun protection is required?

In Victoria sun protection is recommended from mid-August to the end of April when the average UV is 3 and above. If you work outdoors, are near reflective surfaces (like snow), or outside for extended periods sun protection should be used all year round.

Sun protection times are linked to the UV index and are issued when the UV is forecast to be 3 and above. The free SunSmart Global UV app tells you when sun protection is recommended for your location and shows current UV levels for major cities.

Sun protection times can also be found at the  Bureau of Meteorology website and live UV levels are also available from  ARPANSA.

 

I didn't think young people got skin cancer.