UV Conference offers compelling evidence for prevention
December 18, 2015
3rd International UV Conference Highlights
Public investment in skin cancer prevention and early detection programmes show strong potential for health and economic benefits, according to speakers at the 3rd International Conference on UV and Skin Cancer Prevention in Melbourne, 9-11 December 2015.
Coordinated by SunSmart of the Cancer Council Victoria and sponsored by a range of international organisations, including the UICC, the WHO, the Health Promotion Agency (NZ) and the European Society of Skin Cancer Prevention, the conference offered a unique focus on population approaches to skin cancer prevention and control. You can find the full conference programme here. Selected highlights are as follows:
UV and skin damage
- UV is a much greater hazard than previously known; any exposure will cause damage.
- Keratinocyte cancer (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and other non-melanoma skin cancers) is the most common cancer in Australia and New Zealand; a high proportion of these are attributable to high ambient levels of UVR.
- Molecular evidence shows that melanoma is UV related.
- Evidence shows that UV penetrates deeply into the dermis and its damage persists after exposure.
Sunscreens and sunbeds
- Sunscreen use probably reduced skin cancer incidence by 10-15 % within a study population.
- The control of sunbeds requires a comprehensive approach, including regulation, education ('controlled tanning is not safe tanning'), addressing tanning myths, age restrictions, etc.
- Regulatory restrictions aimed at reducing consumer risk may lead to the impression that regulated indoor tanning is safe, according to a US report.
Healthcare costs and cost-effectiveness of primary and secondary prevention
- Healthcare spending is rising faster than general economic growth in Australia and New Zealand.
- Public investment in skin cancer prevention and early detection programmes show strong potential for health and economic benefits.
- Skin cancer prevention initiatives are highly cost-effective and may also be cost-saving. Melanoma early detection programmes aimed at high-risk individuals may also be cost-effective; however, updated analyses are needed.
- New melanoma drugs are among the most expensive of the cancer drugs.
- There is a need to compare the cost of prevention with the cost of treatment.
Skin cancer prevention as an important public health investment: Engaging governments and funding agencies
- Establish the need (burden/cost)
- Identify effective and cost-effective interventions
- Establish affordability and acceptability
Selected Skin Cancer Prevention Resources:
Skin cancer prevention framework 2013-2017 (State of Victoria Department of Health) (2013)
SunSmart, Cancer Council Victoria. Register of Multicomponent UV Protection Programs (2014)
The US Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer (2014)