Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention – April 2024

SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention Month is observed every April in Australia. This program is dedicated to reducing skin cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality through an early detection program and targeted prevention. The program uses a combination of grassroots tactics, advocacy to influence attitudes, mass media campaigns, and knowledge of sun protection. Programs operate in each state and in Australia by respective Cancer Councils, all under common principles. We observe this day to spread awareness about this cancer that is easily preventable and that is mostly brought on by extensive exposure to the sun’s harmful U.V. rays.

History of SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention

In the 1960s, sun protection activities were first introduced when the Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria identified the risks of overexposure to ultraviolet (U.V.) radiation. In 1980, Cancer Council Victoria set out a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of UV. As part of this campaign, the iconic slogan — ‘Slip! Slop! Slap!’ was launched featuring Sid the Seagull. The success of this campaign led to an expansion of different activities, such as the establishment of the Centre for Behavioural and Epidemiological Research in 1986.

In 1988 when Cancer Council Victoria received funding from the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, the SunSmart program was officially launched. Cancer Council Victoria has been designated since 2004 as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborative Centre for Ultraviolet Radiation. Clare Oliver bravely told her ‘No tan is worth dying for’ story in 2007. The campaign was crucial in the fight to make commercial solariums illegal. The iconic Slip! Slop! Slap! was expanded in 2008 to include Seek! and Slide! in recognition of the need for five forms of sun protection. The SunSmart app was launched in 2010 in partnership with the Australia Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) and the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). This helped make sun protection a lot more accessible through the use of UV alerts.

One of the greatest achievements for SunSmart and Cancer Councils across Australia was the 2015 banning of commercial solariums. These are tanning units where those who want to ‘brown’ themselves have their skins exposed to ultraviolet (U.V.) radiation to achieve this. The victory came after a decade-long campaign against the presence of these tanning units.

SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention timeline

1960
The Sun Protection Activities

Sun protection activities are first introduced when Cancer Council Victoria identifies the risks of U.V. overexposure.

1980
The Campaign Against UV Rays

Cancer Council Victoria sets out a campaign to warn against the dangers of ultraviolet (U.V.) radiation.

1986
The Expansion of Different Activities

These activities include the establishment of the Centre for Behavioural and Epidemiological Research.

2015
The Banning of all Solariums

Commercial solarium operation is banned after a decade of SunSmart campaigning across Australia.

SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention FAQs

What does skin cancer look like in the beginning?

Cancer cells appear as flat patches in the skin at first, often with a rough, scaly, reddish, or brown surface.

What causes skin cancer?

Mutations in skin cells render their growth out of control, producing cancer cells. U.V. exposure could be one of the reasons to cause such mutations.

Can skin cancer go away spontaneously?

It tends to grow slowly. It sometimes goes away on its own but may come back.

How to Observe SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention

  1. Protect others

    Sharing information about the importance of skin cancer prevention could save somebody’s life.

  2. Donate to a cancer organization

    There are many organizations whose aim is to help people with skin cancer. Donate to help them raise funds.

  3. Embrace sun protection

    An example of a protection that a person can use is suncream. You can also use a hat to protect your face and head from the sunlight.

5 Facts About Skin Cancer

  1. Use sun protection always

    You should use suncream every day of your life even if it is not a sunny day.

  2. Skin cancer is preventable

    Protecting the skin is estimated to have prevented more than 43,000 skin cancers and 1,400 deaths from the disease.

  3. The Solariums are banned

    Victoria was one of the first states in Australia to legislate solariums and ban commercial solariums entirely.

  4. Melanoma is prevalent in Australia

    It was the fourth most common type of cancer diagnosed there and it is estimated that it will be the third most commonly diagnosed cancer.

  5. U.V. is dangerous

    Ultraviolet (U.V.) damage causes tanning, sunburn, eye damage, and premature aging.

Why SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention is Important

  1. Saving lives

    This month could save someone from cancer with the information provided. What better cause could there be for one to stand for?

  2. People with cancer

    Not only skin cancer. Anyone who has cancer deserves our utmost unconditional support. This is a time when such people are given priority.

  3. It provides an opportunity to provide care

    It could be a chance for people to look after their skin with professionals in order to avoid future diseases. Your annual appointment with your doctor should not wait.

SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention dates

YearDateDay
2024April 1Monday
2025April 1Tuesday
2026April 1Wednesday
2027April 1Thursday
2028April 1Saturday
Be Kind to Spiders Week
Blue Ribbon Week
Golden Rule Week
International Pooper Scooper Week
Laugh at Work Week
Medication Safety Week
National Bake Week
National Cancer Registrars Week
National Public Health Week
National Window Safety Week
Take Your Poet to School Week
Testicular Cancer Awareness Week
April Fools' Day
Assyrian New Year
Boomer Bonus Days
Community Garden Week
Cyprus National Holiday
Dyngus Day
Easter Monday
Edible Book Day
Fossil Fools Day
International Fun at Work Day
International Tatting Day
Library Snap Shot Day
Lupus Alert Day
Martyrdom of Imam Ali
Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month
Myles Day
National Connor Day
National Fun Day
National Greeting Card Day
National Loyal Day
National One Cent Day
National Sourdough Bread Day
National Trombone Players Day
Nature Day
Nickelodeon Anniversary Celebration Day
Odisha Day
Reading is Funny Day
St. Stupid Day
Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
White House Easter Egg Roll
Adopt a Ferret Month
Adopt a Greyhound Month
Arab American Heritage Month
Autism Acceptance Month
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage Month
Cancer Control Month
Canine Fitness Month
Celebrate Diversity Month
Cesarean Awareness Month
Child Abuse Awareness Month
Children and Nature Awareness Month
Counseling Awareness Month
Couple Appreciation Month
Cranberries and Gooseberries Month
Deaf History Month
Defeat Diabetes Month
Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Dog Appreciation Month
Earth Month
Emotional Overeating Awareness Month
Fair Housing Month
Filipino Food Month
Financial Capability Month
Financial Literacy Month
Fresh Florida Tomato Month
Genocide Awareness Month
Global Astronomy Month
Global Child Nutrition Month
Grange Month
Heartworm Awareness Month
IBS Month
Informed Women Month
International Amateur Radio Month
International Customer Loyalty Month
International Guitar Month
Jazz Appreciation Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
Month of the Military Child
Move More Month
Multicultural Communications Month
Multiple Birth Awareness Month
National African-American Women's Fitness Month
National Alcohol Awareness Month
National BLT Sandwich Month
National Car Care Month
National Card and Letter Writing Month
National Decorating Month
National Donate Life Month
National Facial Protection Month
National Food Month
National Foot Health Awareness Month
National Fresh Celery Month
National Frog Month
National Garlic Month
National Grilled Cheese Month
National Humor Month
National Internship Awareness Month
National Kite Month
National Knuckles Down Month
National Literature Month
National Minority Health Month
National Month of Hope
National Pecan Month
National Pest Management Month
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
National Poetry Month
National Rebuilding Month
National Safe Digging Month
National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
National Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Education and Awareness Month
National Sjogren's Syndrome Awareness Month
National Social Security Month
National Soft Pretzel Month
National Soy Foods Month
National Volunteer Month
National Welding Month
National Woodworking Month
National Youth Sports Safety Month
Occupational Therapy Month
Panagyaman Rice Festival
Parkinson's Awareness Month
Parkinson's Awareness Month
Parliamentary Law Month
Pharmacists War on Diabetes Month
Physical Wellness Month
Poetic Earth Month
Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Primary Immunodeficiency Month
Records and Information Management Month
Records and Information Management Month
Rosacea Awareness Month
Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
School Library Month
Scottish-American Heritage Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month
Step up for 30 For Bowel Cancer Month
STI Awareness Month
Straw Hat Month
Stress Awareness Month
Summer Tire Changeover Month
SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention
Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month
Women's Eye Health and Safety Month
Workplace Conflict Awareness Month
World Autism Month
World Landscape Architecture Month
Worldwide Bereaved Spouses Awareness Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.