Cover up warnings as skin cancer rates soar

AUSTRALIAN baby boomers who bought bikinis and flocked to beaches in their youth are now paying the price with soaring skin cancer rates, authorities said yesterday.

But health officials say recent campaigns warning people to wear hats and smear themselves in protective creams appear to be paying off, with skin cancer rates among people under the age of 50 dropping.

Figures released by Australia's Cancer Council showed the number of people treated for the most common forms of skin cancer increased by more than a third since 1995 and has doubled over the past 17 years.