Queensland is the Sunshine State, but unfortunately all that Sun is responsible for one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world.  More than twelve out every thousand Queenslanders were diagnosed with skin cancer during 2016. Two out of every three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by 70 years of age.  Over 95% of skin cancers are caused by sun exposure. Many skin cancers can masquerade as patches of red or scaly skin or as small innocent-looking growths,  This can include melanomas which are not always black. Most skin cancers occur in adults with twice the incidence in men compared to women. Beware of a family history of skin cancer.