Slip Slop Slap message is paying off

The `Slip Slop Slap' message has helped Australia become the first country in the world to experience a reduction in skin cancer.

Cancer experts say they are encouraged by the early figures that show fewer Australians under the age of 45 have been diagnosed with melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer than the generation before them.

While other countries are experiencing an increase in skin cancer it seems the message is impacting on Australians.

The Cancer Council's Terry Slevin said the change could be attributed to campaigns including `Slip Slop Slap' which was launched in 1981.

"The generation who first saw `Slip Slop Slap' have taken notice and done something about it," he said on Monday.

"It's still early days but it is encouraging to know.

"We're the first country in the world to display this decrease while other countries are seeing their figures go up."

To go hand in hand with `Slip Slop Slap', `SunSmart' and other campaigns, the Cancer Council has released a book - Sun, Skin and Health - that it says is the skin cancer guide every family should have.

Former Cancer Council Victoria director Professor David Hill said the book was one that should have been written years ago.

"When you see it, you realise how seriously it is needed and what a valuable resource it is going to be," he said.

It's estimated as many as eight million Australians are at a high risk of developing skin cancer.

THE TRUTH BEHIND SKIN CANCER:

* They're not just a few spots that can be removed

* Not all skin cancers are the same

* You can get burnt on a cold or cloudy day

* Using sun protection won't lead to a vitamin D deficiency

* Sunscreen is safe

* If caught early, 95 per cent of skin cancers can be successfully treated

* Ban on solariums in all states except WA from January 1, 2015.