At TAL, we're always thinking of new ways to protect every aspect of this Australian life, and helping Australians understand skin safety is one of them. Skin cancer is one of Australia’s most common cancers (over 14,000 people are estimated to have been affected by melanoma in 2018), but it is also one of the most easily detectable and preventable¹.

Getting your skin checked regularly by a qualified professional is not only important, it’s also a quick and simple way to identify any irregular spots. Research shows that if detected early, melanoma can be effectively treated.

After travelling to some of Australia’s most iconic locations over summer, 1,391 people were checked for irregular spots through TAL SpotChecker. Of those, 20% of participants were referred on for further checks at their regular GP, skin cancer clinic or dermatologist. 

Summer may be coming to a close but don’t forget to check your skin all year round. For more information on how to self-check at home, download our self-check guide. 

Join the TAL SpotChecker movement

About two in three Australians will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer before the age of 70² so we're committed to supporting more Australians detect and prevent skin cancer.

We're calling on all Australians to join the TAL SpotChecker movement through the simple act of getting two friends to commit to a skin check this summer.

References 

¹ AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF HEALTH AND WELFARE, 2018. CANCER COMPENDIUM: INFORMATION AND TRENDS BY CANCER TYPE, MELANOMA OF THE SKIN.

² STAPLES MP, ELWOOD M, BURTON RC, WILLIAMS JL, MARKS R, GILES GG. NON-MELANOMA SKIN CANCER IN AUSTRALIA: THE 2002 NATIONAL SURVEY AND TRENDS SINCE 1985. MED J AUST 2006 JAN 2;184(1):6-10.

³ cancer council australia, 2018. skin cancer statistics and issues.