Skin cancer in Australia kills over 2,000 each year, with more than 750,000 diagnosed and treated. Tanning became embedded in Australian culture and proved to be a controversial issue because of its popularity among teens and solarium users, despite correlations between tanning and an increased risk of developing melanoma. Australia experienced relative success through skin cancer prevention campaigns started in the 1980s and continued to invest and promote awareness through government-funded mass media strategies. Although Australia has one of the highest national rates of skin cancer, mortality trends in melanoma stabilized.
Tanning
Australians culturally identify with the "bronzed Aussie" stereotype,, viewing it as a positive body image associated with recreational sport and exercise-orientated lifestyles. With over 90% of melanomas derived through contact with the sun, skin cancer preventive initiatives in Australia strived to change this perception.
Solariums and tanning salons are widely used and available throughout Australia. Tanning has been a phenomenon since the 1800s, with medical use of phototherapy, emerging popularity of sunbathing, and in the 1970s, with tanning salons and solariums becoming increasingly popular, had developed into a worldwide tanning industry. Although the tanning industry in Australia is relatively small by international standards, it has quadrupled in size since 1992. The tanning industry promotes tanning as a process to stimulate higher levels of vitamin D, associating it with reduced likelihood of sunburn and skin cancer, with increased well being and feelings of happiness.
Solarium regulation
The solarium industry is regulated on a state by state basis. The first states to regulate solarium use (2008) were Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia following the death of skin cancer victim Clare Oliver. The 2008 regulations required solaria to obtain a license, display health warnings. In Victoria, those under 16 and people with fair skin were banned from solaria and 16-17 year olds were required to have parental consent whereas in South Australia and Western Australia, under 18s were banned.
In February 2009, the Victorian Government introduced license changes, including banning under 18s, consistent with the revised Australian standard, released in January 2009. Victorian solarium legalisation was revised in late 2010, strengthening controls around citing evidence of age documents for under 18s.
The Australian standard requires that operators must: ban people under 18s; sight evidence-of-age documents for those who may be under 18; ban people with very fair skin (skin type I); provide mandatory health warnings; provide a consent form outlining the risks of solarium use for customers to read and sign; complete a skin assessment of each client; ensure all staff have completed training in carrying out skin assessments and determining exposure times; ensure clients wear protective eyewear. New South Wales, Queensland, ACT and Tasmania introduced legislation applying these standards in 2009 and 2010. In 2011, the New South Wales government called for public submissions in relation to a proposal to extend the age ban to those under 30. In February 2012 the New South Wales Government announced its intention to ban tanning beds, starting in 2014. In October 2013, the Victorian parliament passed an official ban on solaria to take effect by 2015. As of 2018, there was illegal solarium use in Australia, often advertised on Gumtree.
Ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer
Melanoma, basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas are predominantly caused by exposure to ultra violet radiation (UVR), and both UVA and UVB radiation has internationally been categorised as carcinogenic. Artificial UVR primarily used in tanning salons and sunbeds, has generated concern among health officials and it was observed to considerably heighten the risk of developing cutaneous malignant melanoma. A study in 2010 found strong evidence supporting association between indoor tanning salon use and increased risk of developing melanoma. The study demonstrated strong correlations between increased risk of melanomas and carcinogenic ultraviolet radiation related outcomes. These increased risks were specifically associated with younger participants, with tanning and solarium use relatively popular among teens and young adults. An increase of 59% in risk of developing melanoma was associated with people who used sun beds before they were 35.