Australia Has the Highest Rates of Skin Cancer

Australians are at the highest risk of skin cancer, with around 37 cases of melanoma of skin per 100,000 population in 2020, according to data from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) International. It was followed by New Zealand with nearly 32 cases per 100,000 population and then Denmark with just under 30 cases per 100,000. In terms of deaths, New Zealand has the worst rates with 4.7 deaths per 100,000 population, followed by Norway (3.2) and Montenegro (3.0). The global average of melanoma skin cancer cases was 3.4 per 100,000 population in 2020, while for deaths it was 0.6 per 100,000 population.

According to the charity, two major contributors to melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers are over-exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun or sun tanning devices.