Cancer Council Australia has unveiled “Sun safe habits last a lifetime” as the theme for National Skin Cancer Action Week (15–22 November 2026).
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.
“This National Skin Cancer Action Week, we’re encouraging Australians to carry sun-safe habits forward and pass them on to a new generation.”
More information about National Skin Cancer Action Week is available at https://www.cancer.org.au/nscaw2026
Take the quiz to win limited-edition Little Sid Seagulls at https://www.cancer.org.au/nscaw2026/win-little-sid-seagull
