Doctors are warning Australians not to be complacent about the dangers of sunburn over summer with skin cancer killing thousands of people each year.
Australian Medical Association president Michael Gannon says the statistics are "frightening" and it's important Australians are aware of the dangers as they spend more time outside over the holiday season.
"It's been said time and time again - Australia is the skin cancer capital of the world," Dr Gannon said in a media release.
"Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70, and each year more than 2000 Australians die from skin cancer."
Dr Gannon said a bit of exposure to sunlight was good but it had to be limited and not during the hottest hours of the day.
He said that while wearing sunscreen was essential, it wasn't a shield, with protective clothing the best form of protection.
