Netherlands Takes on Skin Cancer with Free Sunscreen Campaign

The Netherlands is giving out free sunscreen this summer to help protect people from record levels of skin cancer. It will install free dispensers in parks and public spaces, as well as schools, universities, and festivals.

Europe experienced its hottest summer ever in 2022, and 2023 has already broken records across the continent. The Netherlands has the 4th highest skin cancer rate in the world. 1 in 6 Dutch people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

The government wants people to access sunscreen without being hindered by cost. In some places, hand sanitizers from the pandemic will be repurposed as sunscreen dispensers. The campaign was kickstarted at a festival in the city of Breda.

Excessive exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer. Sunscreen is one key strategy to prevent the disease, along with covering up and staying out of the sun.

In the early 1980s, Australia launched the Slip-Slop-Slap campaign, urging Aussies to slip on a shirt, slop on some sunblock, and slap on a hat. In 2008, it added: seek some shade and slide on some wraparound sunglasses.

The Netherlands' free sunscreen campaign is a welcome initiative to help protect people from skin cancer. Sunscreen is an important part of skin cancer prevention, and this campaign will make it more accessible to people who need it.