Queensland Skin Cancer Costs Highlight Need for Stronger Prevention
01 Jul 2026
Experts say the findings highlight the need for stronger prevention efforts and are encouraging GPs to keep improving their skills in skin cancer detection and patient education.
The eight-year study followed 40,338 Queenslanders aged 40–69 through the QSkin Study, the world’s largest skin cancer research project. Researchers analysed Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Queensland hospital data collected between 2011 and 2022.
After an average follow-up of 8.5 years, 71% of participants had received more than 245,000 skin cancer-related services. These services cost the Australian Government about $43.1 million, making up 2.4% of all direct healthcare costs for the group.
Researchers estimated that Queenslanders aged 40–69 now attend around 1.49 million skin cancer appointments and procedures every year.
The study also found that more than half of participants had at least one skin biopsy, while 36% had one or more non-melanoma skin cancers removed. Around one-third had a mole or skin spot removed to check for melanoma, with 5% confirmed as melanoma. About 8% required hospital treatment for their skin cancer.
Senior author Professor David Whiteman from QIMR Berghofer said the results show the huge impact of skin cancer, adding that it is largely a preventable disease. He also noted that removing non-melanoma skin cancers accounted for a large share of both government and out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
RACGP Specific Interests Dermatology Chair Dr Tracey Purnell said GPs play an important role in helping patients prevent skin cancer, not just detect it. She encouraged doctors to use every skin check as an opportunity to remind patients about daily sun protection through the "Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide" campaign.
Dr Purnell also said GPs should discuss any barriers patients have to using sunscreen and recommend products that better suit their needs. She encouraged doctors to continue building their dermoscopy skills to improve melanoma detection and reduce unnecessary removal of harmless skin lesions.
The findings have led experts to call for greater investment in skin cancer prevention. Public Health Association of Australia CEO Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin said prevention programs reduce disease, save lives and lower healthcare costs, making them a valuable long-term investment.
Queensland Skin Cancer Costs Highlight Need for Stronger Prevention
Source: newsGP, based on research published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health