Television personality and skin cancer survivor Deborah Hutton is sounding the alarm on melanoma, urging Australians to take sun safety seriously as the country braces for what is shaping up to be one of its hottest summers yet. Hutton appeared on The Morning Show on Thursday to deliver a direct message: do not dismiss suspicious spots, and never assume skin cancer is something that can simply be treated without serious consequence.
Melanoma Is Not 'Just Skin Cancer'
Hutton, who has experienced significant skin cancers herself, pushed back strongly against the casual attitude many Australians hold toward the disease. She warned that melanoma in particular demands urgent attention due to its aggressive nature.
"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 also challenged one of the most common misconceptions — that skin cancer can always be easily cut out, frozen off, or treated with a topical cream. While some less aggressive forms of skin cancer may be managed that way, Hutton stressed that assuming this is always the case can be deeply dangerous.
"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."
The Importance of Professional Skin Checks
A central theme of Hutton's warning was the unreliability of self-diagnosis. While she encouraged Australians to download an identification guide available at melanomaresearch.com.au — which illustrates what a potential melanoma may look like — she was clear that the resource is a supplement to professional care, not a substitute for it.
Skin cancer clinics, she noted, offer an accessible starting point for anyone with concerns, with the ability to quickly refer suspicious spots on for further investigation and treatment if needed. With Australia's weather already making headlines as the warmer months approach, experts and advocates alike are urging the public to get ahead of the season with proper precautions.
Sun Safety Beyond Sunscreen
Hutton also highlighted the expanded sun safety mantra that Australians are being encouraged to follow: Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide and Scroll. The newest addition to the familiar campaign — "Scroll" — refers to checking UV levels through weather apps and dedicated UV monitoring applications before heading outdoors.
Hutton has channelled her personal experience with skin cancer into her headwear label Canopy Bay, which has just released its sixth collection of UPF 50-plus protective hats — designed to offer meaningful sun protection as part of a broader daily routine.
A Timely Reminder for a High-Risk Nation
Australia consistently ranks among the highest in the world for rates of skin cancer, making awareness campaigns and early detection efforts critically important. Hutton's message is a timely one: as temperatures rise and Australians spend more time outdoors, the window to act on sun safety — and to get suspicious spots checked — is now.
Anyone with concerns about unusual or changing spots on their skin is urged to book an appointment with a skin cancer clinic or their general practitioner as soon as possible.
