Sunburn still stinging young West Aussies as hospital visits climb

Cancer Council WA has expressed dismay over alarming new data* showing three out of four West Australians aged 14–24 were sunburnt at least once during the 2024/2025 summer, while emergency department visits for sunburn for those aged 10-19 have soared 214 per cent in the last decade.

Cancer Council WA SunSmart Manager, Sally Blane, said despite the known causes of skin cancer, young people are still experiencing damaging rates of sunburn.

“This data is incredibly concerning,” Ms Blane said. “More than 75 per cent of West Australians aged 14 to 24 who responded to the 2025 SunSmart WA Survey said they were sunburnt at least once during the 2024/2025 summer.

“Even more worrying, hospital presentations for sunburn for 10-19 year olds has tripled in the past decade from 52 in 2015 to 163 in 2025, according to the Department of Health.

“Sunburn before the age of 18 is a key risk for developing melanoma.

As well as the alarming sunburn rates, the data shows that 53 per cent of 14 to 24 year olds like to get a tan. This group also reports that a tan makes them feel more attractive, and social media amplifies that message. But the reality is, a tan is a sign of skin damage and raises your risk of skin cancer, including melanoma.”

Ms Blane said Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, and melanoma is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in people aged 15 to 29.

“Sunburn should never be worn as a badge of honour – it’s a warning sign,” she said.

“If you’re not protecting yourself when the UV levels are 3 or above, you’re at risk of damage and future skin cancers.

“We urge all West Australians to take simple steps to reduce their risk, but especially those under 25 years of age – slip on sun protective clothing, slop on sunscreen, slap on a broad-brimmed hat, seek shade, and slide on sunglasses.”

Claremont nursing student, Abbey Templeton (pictured below), is backing those concerns after a visit to the doctor resulted in a shock melanoma diagnosis.

“I noticed a mole that went really dark, really quickly, so I got it checked because it didn’t look right,” Abbey said.

“After the biopsy, I was called back in and told it was melanoma. I was only 23, and I don’t think people realise it can happen that young.”

Abbey believes pressure to tan remains strong, particularly among young people and on social media.

“I’ve seen a big rise in the tanning culture, especially trends like bikini tan lines,” she said.

“There’s this idea at school and all over social media that if you don’t have tan lines, you’re not cool.

“Growing up, I mostly protected my skin but if I did try and get a tan I’d just get burnt.”

Now cancer-free, Abbey has skin checks every three months and is sharing her story to warn others.

“After going through a melanoma diagnosis and treatment, trying to get a tan is just not worth the risk,” she said. “No tan is worth what I went through.”

*Results from the 2025 SunSmart WA Survey in Western Australians aged 14-24 years:

• 76 per cent reported being sunburnt^ at least once during the 2024/25 summer
• 53 per cent reported liking to get suntan
• 47 per cent agreed that a suntan makes me feel more attractive to others
• 33 per cent agreed that the people I see on social media influence me to get a suntan

^ Defined as a sunburn that was sore or tender the next day

Source: Hulcup C, Maitland C. Sunburn and tanning in Western Australians aged 14-24 years. Supplementary results from the 2025 SunSmart WA Survey. Prepared for: Cancer Council Western Australia. Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria: Melbourne, Australia, March 20

The SunSmart WA Survey data collection is funded by North Metropolitan Health Service through Cancer Network WA.