REGIONAL Victorians are far more likely to be diagnosed with, and die from, melanoma than people living in major cities, new data reveals.
Figures released by SunSmart from the latest Victorian Cancer Registry (VCR) report show 3179 Victorians were diagnosed with melanoma in 2024, the deadliest form of skin cancer. More than one-third of those cases, 1150 diagnoses, occurred in regional Victoria.
Overall, people living in regional areas were 51 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma than in major cities, and 35 per cent more likely to die from the disease compared with residents of greater Melbourne and Geelong.
Director of the Victorian Cancer Registry, Professor Sue Evans, said the data exposed a clear equity gap.
“From towns along the Victorian coastline to agricultural plains and the goldfields, our regional areas are known for their beautiful outdoors and unique outdoor lifestyle,” she said. “But data we are spotlighting today shows these communities are also harder hit when it comes to melanoma.
“Regional Victorians are more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma than those living in major cities and face poorer survival outcomes too. This gap raises serious equity concerns.”
While melanoma is the most dangerous skin cancer, Medicare data highlights the broader scale of the problem. An estimated 170,743 treatments for non-melanoma skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were recorded in Victoria in 2024, up from 164,736 in 2023 and 151,355 in 2022.
Head of SunSmart Victoria Emma Glassenbury said about 95 per cent of melanomas and 99 per cent of non-melanoma skin cancers are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
“While the exact causes are still being understood, it’s possible the higher melanoma burden in regional communities is partially due to greater UV exposure from outdoor work and lifestyle, as well as barriers to early detection,” she said.
“But we must remember skin cancer isn’t inevitable; it’s one of the most preventable cancers.”
Regional Victorian Louise Bibby, now living in Swan Hill, said skin cancer has affected three generations of her family.
“My first skin cancer appeared on my hairline at the age of 22,” she said. “Nowadays, you won’t catch me outside without sun protection gear.”
To stay safe, Ms Glassenbury urges Victorians to check UV levels daily and, whenever the UV is 3 or above, follow the five SunSmart steps: slip on protective clothing, slop on SPF30+ sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses.
