More people in Queensland develop and die from melanoma than anywhere else in Australia, new research shows.
A report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimates almost 13,300 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in 2016, with about 1800 people to die from the disease.
Cancer Council Queensland says the sunshine state accounts for a disproportionately high number of cases, relative to its population size.
According to the study, Queensland had the highest age-standardised rate of melanoma from 2005 to 2009 - 67 cases per 100,000 people.
From 2008 to 2012, 7.5 people per 100,000 died from the cancer in Queensland - the highest rate nationally.
Cancer Council Queensland spokeswoman Katie Clift said Australia's ageing and increasing population meant the rates were expected to increase for some time yet.
"This demonstrates the importance of regular skin checks throughout adulthood, so that skin cancer can be diagnosed early and treated effectively," she said.
But there was some positive news.
For people under 40 the melanoma rate has dropped and the chances of survival have improved.
Ms Clift said those findings echoed other research pointing to lower rates of skin cancer in younger Queenslanders.
"Our climate and demographics make us uniquely vulnerable to skin cancer, necessitating ongoing vigilance in sun protection," she said.
