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Study finds Queenslanders aged 40–69 undergo 1.49 million skin cancer procedures annually

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Skin Cancer in Queensland: A Public Health Crisis

Queenslanders aged 40–69 undergo approximately 1.49 million skin cancer procedures each year, according to a new study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. The cost of this treatment runs into the hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

The Scale of the Problem

"Skin cancer accounts for approximately 2.4% of all direct healthcare costs in this age group."

The study tracked over 40,000 participants aged 40–69 for eight years, analyzing skin cancer services and costs through Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and hospital admission data. Over that period, participants underwent roughly 245,000 skin cancer procedures, costing more than $43 million in taxpayer-funded care.

Key Findings on Service Usage

  • 71% of participants used at least one skin cancer service
  • 50% had one or more skin biopsies
  • Over one-third had non-melanoma skin cancers removed
  • 34% had a mole or spot removed to rule out melanoma
  • 5% had a melanoma excised
  • 8% required hospitalization for skin cancer treatment

The highest service users were more likely to be older, male, have private health insurance, and be less educated.

A Second Study: Low-Level UV Causes DNA Damage

A separate study by QIMR Berghofer, published in Photochemistry and Photobiology, exposed healthy adults aged 18–55 with light-to-olive skin to UV doses below levels that cause pinkness. Even these low doses caused measurable DNA damage.

"People potentially get lulled into a sense of security when the intensity of sunlight is weak and they spend too long outdoors without adequate protection." — Professor Rachel Neale, lead author

Expert Responses

Dr. Daniel Lindsay (Cancer Council Queensland) emphasized that "the most cost-effective way for reducing costs of treating skin cancer is prevention campaigns." He expressed concern about social media influencers promoting tanning.

Professor David Whiteman (QIMR Berghofer) called the research a "wake-up call" and urged more targeted prevention campaigns.

Associate Professor Vinod Gopalan (Griffith University) noted that the UV study had only 55 participants and should be replicated with larger, more diverse populations. However, he welcomed the cost study for including non-melanoma skin cancers, which are often overlooked.