THE (SCARY) STATS

* Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Australia, with one in two people developing a form of it at some point.

* Melanoma is the most common form of cancer in Australians aged 15-24.

* Skin cancer caused 1500 deaths in Australia in 2003

* We have the highest incidence and mortality rates of melanoma in the world.



SAVE YOUR SKIN

* Wear an SPF30 broad spectrum sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection. Reapply every two to three hours.

* You should especially avoid going out in the sun between 10am and 3pm, when the UV radiation levels are the most extreme.

* Seek out shade, don't rely on it totally to protect you - you can still get burnt from reflected sunlight.

* Wear sunnies, a hat and protective clothing as much as possible when you're in the sun.

* Make sure you protect your skin even it's overcast, because clouds can't stop the UV radiation from hitting your skin.

* Never use solariums. They emit five times more UV radiation than the midday sun!

* Check your skin regularly, especially any moles. See your doctor ASAP if you notice any unusual changes.

ARE YOU CAREFUL WITH YOUR SKIN IN THE SUN? TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE COMMENTS BOARD BELOW!