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Keywords

SunSmart; Black and minority ethnic; ethnic skin; skin cancer; health inequality; health promotion

Abstract

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United Kingdom and is rising to epidemic proportions. While the majority of skin cancers are treatable, malignant melanoma kills over 2,000 people in the United Kingdom each year, with all skin cancers killing a total of more than 2,500 people annually. SunSmart, the United Kingdom's major skin cancer public health initiative, was implemented to raise awareness about sun exposure and to promote sun safety behaviours. However, it has failed to curb the incidence and mortality rates. Furthermore, while Australia has the highest skin cancer incidence rates globally, the mortality rates are lower than those in the United Kingdom. There has also been a growing amount of evidence demonstrating ethnic disparities in skin cancer survival rates. Even though incidence rates of skin cancer among Black and minority ethnic (BME) groups are significantly lower, it is often diagnosed late, resulting in higher mortality rates. This, coupled with climate change and the proportion of BME groups expected to rise in the United Kingdom from 8% to 20% by 2051, raises public health concerns. This article aims to critically analyse the UK SunSmart campaign's success in addressing skin cancer in the population and in particular its relevance to BME communities. It also compares this approach with the Australian campaign. This article demonstrates that Australia's campaign has been more successful than the United Kingdom's due to their more comprehensive application of health promotion and public health principles.

Introduction

According to Cancer Research UK,1 skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United Kingdom. Skin cancer presents in two main types: non-melanoma and malignant melanoma. Non-melanoma is most common and usually less complex to treat.2 Malignant melanoma is far less prevalent than non-melanoma skin cancers but is the major cause of death from skin cancer. Risk factors for skin cancer can generally be divided into environmental and genetic risks. Long-term repeated ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure is the major risk factor for skin cancer, with the principal source being the sun, followed by the use of sun lamps and tanning beds.3 Other risk factors include the following:

* A history of sunburn or recreational...

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