2018 Sunscreen Summit BannerSunscreen Summit

Scientific Meeting 19 March, 2018

QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia

Melanomas and keratinocyte cancers (BCC and SCC of the skin) are largely preventable, yet their incidence remains extremely high and the costs of treatment continue to climb.

Primary prevention is the mainstay of skin cancer control efforts, and is advocated by all stakeholders. However, there is lack of consistency in how prevention advice is communicated to the public, especially advice concerning the use of sunscreen. As a group of skin cancer researchers and clinicians with a strong interest in public health, we contend that this inconsistency is confusing to the public and undermines efforts to reduce the burden of skin cancer.

To adopt a consensus approach to sunscreen policy, the Australian Skin and Skin Cancer Research Centre (ASSC) is hosting a Sunscreen Summit in March, 2018.

This invitation-only meeting at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute will bring together all stakeholder groups (including NGOs, government agencies, specialist colleges, research institutions, policy makers, consumers and investigators) in one forum to review the latest developments in skin cancer prevention. (Note: Industry will not participate in this summit.)

You are invited to attend the Sunscreen Summit Scientific Meeting on 19 March, 2018.

The draft program is as follows:

19 March, 2018 – Scientific Meeting (tentatively 11:00 – 17:00)

  • Review developments in skin cancer prevention science, particularly with respect to sunscreen
  • Identify barriers to implementation
  • Identify gaps in the evidence base regarding sunscreen and other skin cancer prevention activities
  • Review of current policy settings

(A closed meeting to develop a consensus sunscreen policy will take place on 20 March, 2018 at the same venue. The second day of closed meetings will be restricted to a smaller group of representatives from stakeholder organisations. Separate invitations will be issued for the closed policy meeting.)

Please register your interest by email (no obligation to attend). We will contact you again in the next few months with an updated agenda, speaker list and accommodation suggestions.

While attendance at the scientific meeting will be by invitation only, we welcome suggestions for other individuals or organisations who could benefit or contribute to the scientific meeting.

Registration is free. We have applied for philanthropic funding to underwrite the summit, but as yet we do not know the outcome. As a consequence, we ask that participants be prepared to fund their own travel and accommodation costs.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with comments, questions or suggestions.

We look forward to welcoming you to Brisbane in March 2018.

Yours sincerely,

David Whiteman

On behalf of Sunscreen Summit Organising Committee

QIMR Berghofer: Prof David Whiteman, Prof Adele Green, A/Prof Rachel Neale, A/Prof Louisa Gordon, Dr Catherine Olsen

The University of Queensland: Professor H. Peter Soyer

Queensland University of Technology: Prof Monika Janda

Cancer Council Queensland: Prof Joanne Aitken