‘Sun safe habits last a lifetime’: National Skin Cancer Action Week theme unveiled as Australia celebrates 45 years of Slip! Slop! Slap! and Sid Seagull

The announcement comes as Australia marks 45 years of Slip! Slop! Slap! and Sid Seagull, one of the country's most recognised public health campaigns. To celebrate the milestone, Cancer Council Australia has introduced Little Sid Seagull designed to help carry the sun safety message to a new generation.  

YouGov polling data shows Sid Seagull continues to resonate, with four in five Australians agreeing Sid Seagull has nostalgic appeal and can educate new generations about sun safety.  64% say campaigns like those featuring Sid make them more likely to use sun protection. 

While forty-five years of prevention efforts have contributed to declining melanoma rates among men and women under 40, two in three Australians will still be diagnosed with a form of skin cancer in their lifetime, and there are more non-melanoma skin cancer diagnoses than all other cancers combined. 

Cancer Council Australia CEO Jacinta Reddan said the new campaign theme reflected the importance of turning awareness into lifelong behaviours. “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.  

“We know that exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer, and research has found that 50% of lifetime UV exposure happens before age 20, showing that sun protection habits established today can help lower your risk of skin cancer tomorrow. Studies also tell us that children are 12 times more likely to use sunscreen and three times more likely to wear a hat when they see their parents do it first, further emphasising that the benefits of sun-safe habits can last a lifetime, especially when introduced early.

“This National Skin Cancer Action Week, we're encouraging Australians to carry sun-safe habits forward and pass them on to a new generation.” 

The 2026 theme focuses on the role families play in establishing sun protection habits, encouraging parents and carers to lead by example and make sun safety a consistent part of everyday life.  

Australasian College of Dermatologists President Dr Adrian Lim said the enduring success of the Slip! Slop! Slap! message demonstrated the value of simple, memorable health communication. “The Australasian College of Dermatologists is proud to celebrate 45 years of the iconic Slip, Slop, Slap campaign with Cancer Council Australia." 

“These, now further evolved to five sun protection steps, including Seek and Slide, continue to be the best defence against Australia's most common cancer.”  

National Skin Cancer Action Week reminds Australians to check the UV Index and use all five forms of sun protection whenever the UV level reaches three or above: Slip on protective clothing, Slop on SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Seek shade and Slide on sunglasses.  

Throughout November and National Skin Cancer Action Week, Australians will have the opportunity to win limited-edition Little Sid Seagull 10-cm plushies through Cancer Council Australia giveaways. 

Image | Little Sid Seagull. Credit: Cancer Council Australia 

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