Television personality and skin cancer survivor Deborah Hutton has issued an urgent warning to Australians about the deadly risks of melanoma, as the country prepares for what is shaping up to be one of its hottest summers on record. Speaking publicly on the issue, Hutton urged people across the country not to downplay suspicious spots on their skin — and not to assume that skin cancer is always a straightforward fix.
Melanoma Can Be Fatal If Missed, Hutton Warns
Hutton, who has personally experienced significant skin cancers, was emphatic about the seriousness of melanoma compared to other forms of skin cancer.
"What's really important is to not dismiss it like, 'Oh, it's only skin cancer,'" she said. "Melanoma is the most aggressive skin cancer. So if you miss it and it's not diagnosed, it can run through the bloodstream, and it can be potentially fatal."
She highlighted one of the most common and dangerous misconceptions held by many Australians — the belief that any skin cancer can simply be cut out, frozen off, or treated with a cream. Hutton stressed that this assumption can be life-threatening when it comes to melanoma.
"I think most people think, 'Oh, it's skin cancer, we'll just get it cut out or they'll freeze it,'" she said. "We can't self-diagnose. So it's really important to make sure that you see someone, see a professional."
Seeking Professional Help Is Critical
A central message in Hutton's warning was the importance of seeing a trained medical professional rather than trying to assess suspicious spots at home. She noted that skin cancer clinics offer an accessible starting point for Australians who are concerned, and can quickly refer patients for further treatment if a spot looks worrying.
For those wanting to better understand what melanoma can look like, Hutton encouraged Australians to download an identification guide available at melanomaresearch.com.au. She was careful to emphasise, however, that the guide is a tool to use alongside professional medical checks — not a substitute for them.
Sun Safety Habits and the Expanded Slip, Slop, Slap Message
With summer approaching and UV levels set to climb, Australians are being encouraged to follow the expanded sun safety mantra: Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide and Scroll. The newest addition — "Scroll" — refers to checking UV levels through weather apps and dedicated UV monitoring applications before heading outdoors.
Hutton has also channelled her own experience with skin cancer into her headwear label, Canopy Bay, which has just released its sixth collection of UPF 50-plus rated hats — designed to offer meaningful protection against harmful UV radiation during the warmer months.
Why This Summer Matters
Australia's reputation as one of the world's highest-risk nations for skin cancer makes sun safety messaging especially urgent as temperatures rise. Hutton's public profile and personal history with the disease lend particular weight to her call for vigilance. The combination of expected extreme heat and high UV exposure means that complacency this summer could carry serious consequences.
Her message is clear: check your skin regularly, see a professional, and never assume a suspicious spot is nothing to worry about.
