Sunrise presenter Natalie Barr said a persistent spot on her nose led her to a dermatologist and a biopsy. A July 2, 2024 report by PerthNow said she also described using baby oil to sunbathe when she was younger and called her diagnosis a wake-up call. The report did not identify the type of skin cancer; it does not establish what caused her diagnosis.
What Natalie Barr said about her diagnosis
PerthNow reported on July 2, 2024 that Barr noticed a persistent spot on her nose, consulted a dermatologist and had a biopsy. The report attributed to Barr the account of her diagnosis and her reflections on past sun exposure. It did not name the cancer subtype, so the available reporting does not support calling it melanoma or another specific type.
According to the same report, Barr said she had not protected her skin much when she was younger and had used baby oil while sunbathing. She described the diagnosis as a wake-up call and said it had prompted her to take sun protection more seriously. These are details attributed to Barr in the news report, not independently verified medical records. Her experience does not establish that a particular exposure caused her cancer or that a particular product would have prevented it.
How to protect your skin in Australia
Cancer Council Australia recommends sun protection when the UV Index reaches 3 or higher. Its five SunSmart measures work together: cover up with clothing, apply sunscreen, wear a protective hat, seek shade and wear sunglasses. Sunscreen is one part of protection, not a reason to spend longer in the sun.
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- Cover up: Clothing that covers more skin reduces exposed areas. Where clothing has a UPF rating, that rating indicates its ultraviolet protection.
- Apply sunscreen: Choose SPF 50 or SPF 50+, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen. Apply it at least 20 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours, or after swimming or excessive sweating. Cancer Council describes seven teaspoons (about 35 mL) as the approximate amount for a full-body application by an average-sized adult.
- Wear a protective hat: A broad-brimmed, legionnaire or bucket-style hat helps shade the face, nose, neck and ears. Caps and visors do not provide enough protection.
- Use shade: Shade lowers UV exposure, but reflected UV can still reach you. Combine it with clothing, a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Wear sunglasses: Use sunglasses that meet the relevant Australian standard and pair them with a hat for more coverage.
These are general Cancer Council recommendations, not advice about Barr’s individual treatment or care. See Cancer Council Australia’s sun safety guidance and Be SunSmart guidance for details.
Check spots and seek medical advice
Cancer Council Australia advises watching for new spots and changes in existing ones, and seeing a doctor about anything unusual. A news story cannot determine what a spot is: if you notice a concerning change, consult a qualified clinician rather than trying to diagnose it from photographs or descriptions.
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What Australian sun-protection figures show
Cancer Council Australia reported findings from an Australian Bureau of Statistics survey funded by Australia’s Cancer Councils and conducted in November 2023 and February 2024. More than 8,500 Australians took part. In the results reported by Cancer Council, 53.9% used three or more forms of sun protection when exposed during peak UV times, while 38.1% used sunscreen on most days during late spring and summer when daily use was recommended. These figures describe that survey period, not current-year estimates.
In a 2025 statement published by Cancer Council Australia, Sally Blane, Chair of Cancer Council’s National Skin Cancer Committee, said that cumulative sun damage means risk increases with age, while people can still take steps to protect their skin. Adjunct Associate Professor Craig Sinclair, Director of the WHO Collaborative Centre for UV Radiation at Cancer Council Victoria, said unprotected exposure when UV is above 3 can harm skin and increase later risk. The statements reinforce the practical point: protection is useful at any age, and consistent measures matter.
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See Cancer Council Australia’s skin cancer statistics and prevention information for the figures and statements.
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