Cost-effectiveness analysis and return on investment of SunSmart Western Australia to prevent skin cancer

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Oliver

Using a mathematical population model, the study evaluates the economic impact of the SunSmart program in Western Australia as a primary prevention strategy to reduce skin cancer incidence compared with no program. A societal perspective combines health-system and patient costs with lost productivity. Model inputs draw on pragmatic trial evidence, epidemiological studies, and national cost reports. Over 20 years, SunSmart is predicted to prevent 13,728 keratinocyte cancers, 636 melanomas, and 46 melanoma deaths per 100,000, saving 251 life years, gaining 358 QALYs, and producing AU$2.95 million cost savings per 100,000, with 90.1% cost-effectiveness probability and $8.70 return per $1 invested.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Contribution to Health Promotion

Background

Article Cost-effectiveness analysis and return on investment of SunSmart Western Australia to prevent skin cancer Louisa G. Collins1,2,3,*,, Carolyn Minto4, Melissa Ledger4, Sally Blane4, and Delia Hendrie5 1 Population Health Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, 300 Herston Rd, Herston QLD 4006, Queensland, Australia 2Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 20 Weightman St, Herston QLD 4006, Australia 3School of Nursing and Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Level 1, 420 Bagot Rd, Subiaco WA 6008, Queensland, Australia 4Cancer Council Western Australia, Perth, Level 1, 420 Bagot Rd, Subiaco WA 6008, Western Australia, Australia 5Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Kent St, Bentley WA 6102, Western Australia, Australia *Corresponding author. E-mail: [louisa.collins@qimrberghofer.edu.au](louisa.collins@qimrberghofer.edu.au) Abstract Each year, malignant melanoma accounts for 57 000 deaths globally. If current rates continue, there will be an estimated 510 000 new cases annually and 96 000 deaths by 2040. Melanoma and keratinocyte cancers (KCs) incur a large societal burden. Using a mathematical population model, we performed an economic evaluation of the SunSmart program in the state of Western Australia (WA), a primary prevention program to reduce the incidence of skin cancer, versus no program. A societal perspective was taken combining costs to the health system, patients and lost productivity. The model combined data from pragmatic trial evidence of sun protection, epidemiological studies and national cost reports. The main outcomes modelled were societal and government costs, skin cancer counts, melanoma deaths, life years and quality-adjusted life years . Over the next 20 years, the model predicted that implementing the WA SunSmart program would prevent 13 728 KCs, 636 melanomas and 46 melanoma deaths per 100 000 population. Furthermore, 251 life years would be saved, 358 quality-adjusted life years gained and AU$2 .95 million in cost savings to society per 100 000 population would be achieved. Key drivers of the model were the rate reduction of benign lesions from sunscreen use, the costs of purchasing sunscreen and the effectiveness of reducing KCs in sunscreen users . The likelihood of WA SunSmart being cost-effective was 90. 1% . For the WA Government, the estimated return on investment was $8.70 gained for every $1 invested. Primary prevention of skin cancer is a cost-effective strategy for preventing skin cancers . Keywords: skin cancer, melanoma, keratinocyte carcinomas, primary prevention, cost-effectiveness, economic evaluation Contribution to Health Promotion • Solar ultraviolet radiation is the main cause of skin cancer, and skin cancer prevention is feasible and effective through sun protection behaviours. • Skin cancer rates are growing around the world, and health and cost burdens are large and preventable. • Our economic model combines the latest evidence to support the economic and health benefits of a population-based primary prevention intervention for skin cancer. • The high positive return on investment supports the business case for government investment in a state-wide SunSmart health promotion program for skin cancer prevention. BACKGROUND Skin cancer is a growing public health issue among fair-skinned populations around the world. Malignant melanoma is the most serious skin cancer and led to 57 000 deaths globally in 2020 ([http://gco.iarc.fr/today/home](http://gco.iarc.fr/today/home)). This is projected to rise to 96 000 deaths by 2040 with current rate increases of 3–4% per year in many European countries ([http://gco.iarc.fr/today/](http://gco.iarc.fr/today/)[ ](http://gco.iarc.fr/today/)[home](home)) . Non-melanoma skin cancers [or basal and squamous cell carcinomas, collectively called keratinocyte cancers (KCs)] are

FAQs

What is being compared in this cost-effectiveness analysis?

The analysis compares implementing the SunSmart program in Western Australia versus no program for preventing skin cancer.

What outcomes does the model estimate?

It models societal and government costs, counts of skin cancers, melanoma deaths, life years, and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs).

What does the study report as the return on investment?

For the WA Government, the estimated return is $8.70 gained for every $1 invested, and the likelihood of cost-effectiveness is 90.1%.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Oliver