Queensland researchers are offering free skin checks as part of a new study that aims to provide more insights into the types and rates of cancers among surfers, swimmers and stand-up paddleboarders.
Southern Cross University project leader Mike Climstein said a study he conducted in 2016 found surfers were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with melanoma.
"In our 2016 study, the majority of skin cancers identified were on the face, followed by the back and then the arms," he said.
"So it's a problem whether it's surfers, stand-up paddleboarders, swimmers."
Participants in the latest study will receive free skin checks at clinics in Cairns, the Gold Coast and Mullumbimby in northern New South Wales after they complete a questionnaire.
Even eye and hair colour considered
According to the Cancer Council, melanoma is the third most common form of cancer in Australia.
Two out of three Australians are likely to receive a skin cancer diagnosis at some point in their life, a rate two to three times higher than in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Dr Climstein said it was a problem not enough people considered, especially young adults.
"They'll actually ingrain in, they'll grow, they'll attach to the nerves or they'll travel through the body.
"The problem is young kids are healthy, they don't see it as being a concern."
He said the study hoped to provide more insights into which demographics were most at risk, what prevention measures were being used and what sort of community attitudes were held.
"For example, how many sunburns do you have a year? Did you have it when you were younger? Did you ever use a tanning bed?
"They assess the skin type as well and that's based on your eye colour, your hair colour and how much melanin is in your skin."
Many cancer patients don't know what's required
Skin cancer specialist Michael Stapelberg, whose Gold Coast clinic is participating in the study, described Queensland as "the skin cancer capital of the world".
"I find that people who have a diagnosis of skin cancer take it very, very seriously; they're very meticulous about sun protection," he said.
"But what we're really trying to achieve here is help educate younger Australians to be aware of the risks."
Dr Stapelberg said he also hoped to learn what sort of clinical feedback skin cancer patients received after a diagnosis.
"A lot of patients don't really know what their required follow up is for their skin cancer," he said.
"How often should they present for another review?"
Young adults 'look better if you're browner'
SCU honours student Brendan Doyle has been enlisted to conduct the survey after completing a biomedical science degree.
"I just saw how easily preventable it is from simple measures people aren't taking," he said.
"Something that is so easily preventable, their needs to be more research in this area and we need to identify the things we can improve to provide better health outcomes."
Mr Doyle said many young adults, especially on the Gold Coast, "don't like wearing sunscreen, don't like covering up".
"Big focus on tanning, lots of friends that just like baking themselves out in the sun all of the time," he said.
"The tan is the most attractive thing, people think you look better if you're browner.
"They're just putting themselves at risk of totally preventable cancer."
