They’ve learned a thing or two about skin cancer in Australia. The land-down-under has the highest incidence rate of the most deadly form of skin cancer - melanoma - in the world. This is largely attributed to the three factors: Australia is close to the earth’s equator where the sun’s skin damaging ultraviolet rays are the strongest; the thinning of the UV- blocking ozone layer over Australia; and, a large proportion of Australia’s residents are fair-skinned descendents of Northern Europeans.

Despite its risk factors, Australia’s focus on prevention and early detection has led to a steady decline in skin cancer death rates in recent years.

Americans could learn a thing or two from Australians when it comes to preventing this most deadly form of skin cancer as we head into the summer months.

Five steps to reducing the risk of UV sun damage to the skin.

• seek shade
• wear sun-protective clothing that covers as much of your body as possible
• put on a broad-brimmed hat that shades your face and neck
• wear wrap-around sunglasses
• apply SPF30+ broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen every two hours