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The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulates therapeutic sunscreens that protect Australians against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVR). UVR is a major health concern linked to approximately 95% of melanoma cases in the country (Cancer Australia 2019). Exposure to UVR is a significant risk factor and is known to cause skin cancer in humans (IARC 1992). Preventative UVR exposure measures include seeking shade, wearing UV protective clothing, and using sunscreen.
Australia has the highest incidence of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer globally (Ferlay et al. 2020), a depleted ozone layer (DCCEEW 2022), and a vast coastline and sunny climate that promotes a culture of outdoor activities. Sunscreens that primarily protect the skin from UVR are integral to public health and as such, are regulated as therapeutic goods in Australia with stricter standards than required for cosmetic products.
While Australians widely use sunscreen as one of the measures to prevent UVR exposure, individual application varies based on factors such as daily habits, occupational exposure and recreational activities. Australia's unique environmental and lifestyle factors underscore the need for a tailored approach to therapeutic sunscreen regulation.
Sunscreen use varies among individuals. How much sunscreen is applied to the skin and how often will vary based on: habits, climate where you live, time spent outside vs indoors (due to occupation or recreation), cost of sunscreens, socioeconomic factors, organisational policies (such as for childcare, school or work), perception of skin cancer risk, susceptibility to sunburn and whether sunscreen is available when needed. This makes it difficult to estimate an exposure amount that covers all different situations for the Australian population that can be used for risk assessments.
The Australian Sunscreen Exposure Model (ASEM) performs sunscreen exposure calculations that reflect the unique conditions and practices in Australia.