It will comes as no surprise to anyone who has been out an about in our hot Western Plains sun that Australia has the highest skin cancer rate in the world.

The Cancer Institute of NSW reports the number of new cases of melanoma each year. In 2021, the age-standardised rates were 61.1 new cases per 100,000 men in NSW and 40.6 new cases per 100,000 women in NSW.

But, it's a catch-22 situation.

Many of us want to be out enjoying the sunshine and, in moderation, it's good for our health. But until now it's hard to get a real-time gauge the amount of UV radiation we are exposed to.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is dangerous because it is not like the sun’s light which we see, or the sun’s heat, which we feel, so it can be damaging our skin and increase our skin cancer risk without us knowing. Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, with two in three Australians being diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime.

Enter the SunSmart Global UV app. Created by experts from the well known SunSmart program and Cancer Council Victoria, the app empowers people worldwide to protect themselves against skin cancer, and has just celebrated it’s one year anniversary in Australia with 100,000 monthly active users.

“Being outdoors in Australia means we’re exposed to some of the harshest and most dangerous levels of UV radiation in the world, " Head of SunSmart Victoria, Emma Glassenbury said.

“Exposure to UV radiation is responsible for 95% of melanoma and 99% of non-melanoma skin cancers, yet too many people are unaware of what the UV level is where they are and when to cover up to prevent skin cancer.”

The SunSmart Global UV app tailors the times of day when sun protection is recommended to any location.

Head of Prevention at Cancer Council Victoria, and Adjunct Associate Professor Craig Sinclair, said the app highlights an innovative use of technology to protect health.

“We’re a recognised global leader in skin cancer prevention, drawing on decades of experience to innovate new ways of sharing knowledge to change behaviours and reduce the burden of skin cancer –and this app is another tool to help," Professor Sinclair said.

“After seeing a decline in melanoma rates in Australians aged under 40 years who have grown up with skin prevention programs like SunSmart, we know the power of sun protection campaigns and interventions in reducing the impact of UV radiation."

The app uses forecast information from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and live UV data from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) to provide sun protection times across Australia and the world.

Even when UV reaches extreme levels, it can’t be seen or felt, but through the free app people receive real-time, location specific updates so they know when the UV index hits three then sun protection is required.

So, whether you are staying home on the Western Plains in summer or heading off for a tropical holiday overseas, the SunSmart Global UV app is able to check the UV rating every day and ensure you are protecting your skin from harm.

To download the free app visit https://www.sunsmart.com.au/resources/sunsmart-app