Cancer Council Australia has urged families to make sun protection part of everyday life as Australia marks 45 years of the Slip! Slop! Slap! campaign.
Cancer Council Australia has announced “Sun safe habits last a lifetime” as the theme for National Skin Cancer Action Week, which will run from 15 to 22 November 2026.
The campaign encourages Australians to establish sun protection routines and pass them on to future generations.
The announcement coincides with the 45th anniversary of the Slip! Slop! Slap! campaign and its mascot, Sid Seagull. Cancer Council Australia has introduced Little Sid Seagull as part of efforts to reach a new generation with the sun safety message.
YouGov polling commissioned by Cancer Council Australia found four in five Australians believed Sid Seagull had nostalgic appeal and could help educate younger generations about sun safety. Almost two-thirds of respondents said campaigns featuring Sid made them more likely to use sun protection.
Cancer Council Australia chief executive Jacinta Reddan said the anniversary was an opportunity to turn awareness into lifelong behaviour.
“For 45 years, Sid Seagull has helped Australians remember how to protect themselves from the sun. While we’ve made progress, the job’s not done,” Ms Reddan said.
“Sun protection habits established today can help lower your risk of skin cancer tomorrow.”
Cancer Council Australia said research showed half of a person’s lifetime ultraviolet radiation exposure occurred before the age of 20. It also said children were more likely to use sunscreen and wear a hat when they saw their parents do so.
While melanoma rates among men and women under 40 have declined, Cancer Council Australia said two in three Australians would still be diagnosed with a form of skin cancer during their lifetime.
There are also more non-melanoma skin cancer diagnoses in Australia than diagnoses of all other cancers combined, according to the organisation.
Australasian College of Dermatologists president Dr Adrian Lim said the continued recognition of Slip! Slop! Slap! demonstrated the value of simple public health messages.
The campaign has since expanded to include five sun protection measures: slipping on protective clothing, slopping on SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen, slapping on a broad-brimmed hat, seeking shade and sliding on sunglasses.
Australians are advised to check the UV Index and use all five forms of protection when the UV level reaches three or above.
Cancer Council Australia national skin cancer committee chair Sally Blane said National Skin Cancer Action Week was an opportunity for families to renew their commitment to sun protection.
“Sun protection is most effective when it becomes a regular part of everyday life,” Ms Blane said.
Limited-edition Little Sid Seagull plush toys will be offered through Cancer Council Australia giveaways during November and National Skin Cancer Action Week.
Further information about the campaign and sun protection is available from Cancer Council Australia.
Robert is the founder of AustralianSenior.com.
He studies Journalism and Communications at USC and studied TV Presentation at NIDA. He is passionate about advocating for seniors and presenting non-biased, fact-based news to enable those over 50 to thrive in an increasingly complicated digital world. He covers all areas of life and style, from pop culture to the economy, travel, and events with a passion for supporting rural and regional destinations and opportunities. If it's worth reading, it's worth writing about.
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