Cancer ads save dollars and lives: study

Every dollar invested in skin cancer prevention campaigns saves the NSW health system almost four dollars, a new study suggests.

A cost-benefit analysis of three targeted campaigns run in NSW between 2006 and 2013 suggested about 112 lives were saved and 13,000 fewer skin cancers were contracted over the period, compared with projections based on historical trends.

NSW chief cancer officer David Currow said the campaigns cost $15.63 million but delivered a saving of $60.17 million in treatment and productivity costs.

Professor Currow said the Cancer Institute of NSW had launched the campaigns - Tattoo, Dark Side of Tanning and Wes Bonny - to highlight the risks of UV exposure and reduce the immense burdens skin cancer carries.

"We now have the evidence that as well as looking after the health and wellbeing of people in NSW, it is a wise financial decision to invest in skin cancer public education mass media campaigns," he said.

Up to 99 per cent of skin cancers are preventable through good sun protection and the challenge is changing attitudes and behaviours surrounding UV safety, Prof Currow said.