Cancer Council Celebrates 40 Years Of National Skin Cancer Action Week

Sid the Seagull reminds Australians to Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and SlideThis week Cancer Council is celebrating 40 years of National Skin Cancer Action Week (NSCAW) by reminding Australians to protect themselves from our national cancer. To mark the anniversary, Cancer Council is bringing Sid the Seagulls iconic Slip, Slop, Slap Seek and Slide message back into focus, as new research from YouGov, undertaken in 2025, reveals his push for sun safety is as important as ever. New research found that while almost two thirds (63%) of Australians express concern about developing or redeveloping skin cancer, only around one third (35%) believe sun protection is extremely important during outdoor activities. One third (33%) of Millennials and one quarter (26%) of Gen Z believe that sun protection is extremely important when outdoors, compared to more than one third (37%) of Gen X and just under half (42%) of Baby Boomers. Younger Australians (Gen Z & Millennials) are less likely than older generations (Gen X & Baby Boomers) to consider key individual sun protection habits as very important when heading outside, including: Table: Sun protection habits generations rate as very important when outside Sun protection habits Gen Z & Millennials Gen X & Baby Boomers Difference Slip on a shirt 43% 66% 23% Slop on sunscreen 51% 62% 11% Slap on a hat 42% 70% 28% Seek shade 44% 63% 19% Slide on sunglasses 35% 57% 22% Sally Blane, Chair of Cancer Councils National Skin Cancer Committee, said the research findings show that more work can be done to encourage younger generations to be proactive about their own sun protection. Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime, which is why sun protection across all generations is important, said Ms Blane. The YouGov data showed that Gen Z and Millennials plan to spend more time outdoors this summer compared to older Aussies (Gen X and Baby Boomers: 15.4 hrs vs. Gen Z and Millennials: 18.4 hrs). Skin cancer is almost entirely preventable by using the five forms of sun protection Slip on sun protective clothing, Slop on SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen, Slap on a broad brimmed hat, Seek shade and Slide on sunglasses. Younger Australians have learnt from older generations that overexposure to UV is not worth the risk of developing skin cancer now they need to take action. John Clements, 68, skin cancer survivor and resident of South Australia, said: Growing up we spent a lot of time on the beach, no shirts, no hats, with our mothers putting baby oil on our skin. Sun protection wasnt talked about. It wasnt until later in life when I started undergoing skin cancer treatments that I really changed my sun protection habits. Now I always wear long-sleeve tops, a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses, limit my time in the sun and have sunscreen at arms reach. Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide, you cant get better than that message. Its important that our family are protecting themselves, so that they can avoid experiencing skin cancer. We encouraged our kids, as they were growing up, to look after themselves in the sun. My wife, Louise and I, have taught our granddaughter Hannah, who is 9, along with her parents, all the necessary tools and now she doesnt need much prompting for sun protection. Shes very aware. John has passed along important sun protection habits to his son Tristan Clements. Tristan, 39, said: "Mum and dad always taught me and my brother about the importance of sun protection habits, this became even more important after dad's skin cancer diagnosis. Dad often told us stories of being at the beach when he was a kid, and how he would have made different choices with his clothing and sun protection if he'd known then what he knows now. I love getting out on my paddle board and my long-sleeve shirt, sunscreen, sunnies and broad brim hat are always on when I get out on the water. My kids take great care of themselves in the sun too, I don't even need to remind them to Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide. I'm really proud that as a family we encourage each other to take sun protection seriously." Ms Blane added, This year marks the 40th National Skin Cancer Action Week, and while much has changed since Sid the Seagull first landed onto our screens, one thing remains the same its still the same sun. Thats why Sids message is more important than ever. Were urging all Australians to take five simple stepsSlip, Slop, Slap, Seek, and Slide whenever the UV level is three or above to protect their skin and reduce their risk of developing skin cancer. National Skin Cancer Action Week runs from Sunday 16 November to Saturday 22 November. For more information about National Skin Cancer Action Week, and how to be SunSmart, visit and the . About the research This study was conducted by an independent market research firm, YouGov, between 16th - 20th October 2025. The sample is comprised of a nationally representative sample of 1,035 A