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Wipe Out Melanoma・California Gazette
Changing the way our community faces melanoma
CONTENTS | JULY 2026| ISSUE 11
[ 1 ] Spotlight with Mike Hill and Sue Collins. Conquering Skin Cancer: for every body under the sun
[ 2 ] Fast Facts: Evidence-based recommendation and interventions related to skin cancer prevention
[ 3 ] Resources and networking for melanoma prevention and early detection
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Spotlight with
Mike Hill [ Founder · Filmmaker · Writer · Creative Director | Moonshine Agency ]
Sue Collins [ Principal · Producer · Change Agent | Moonshine Agency ]
Conquering Skin Cancer: for every body under the sun
In this issue, Mike Hill and Sue Collins, founders of the Australian-based impact film production house Moonshine Agency, share insights from their documentary, Conquering Skin Cancer, and discuss its role in promoting sun safety. Their current and past works have taken them around the globe, partnering with organizations and individuals to produce more than 50 internationally award-winning films.
Please tell us about your company Moonshine Agency and its focus.
Sue: Moonshine Agency is an impact film production house. We're based out of Melbourne, Australia. Striving to influence policy, educate the public, and inspire social change, we mostly produce documentaries and focus on areas that provide hope, with many of our stories exploring cancer or palliative care.
Mike: A big focus of our work in the last 5 years has been around our Conquering Cancer Campaign documentary series, which has grown beyond belief. It just ticked over a million subscribers this week on YouTube, which is a big milestone, and indicates how many people are interested in this area. What unites our stories is that they focus on finding hope for the future, that one day we’ll overcome cancer and control it in our lifetime.
Current global research reveals that Australia has the highest melanoma incidence rate, New Zealand leads in death rate for melanoma, and the United States ranks number one in incidence rate for overall skin cancers. What striking similarities and differences have you found with the Conquering Skin Cancer USA documentary versus the Australia edition?
Sue: That’s a really good question. There are a lot of similarities in behavior, particularly in that people don't tend to understand the risks of exposure to UV through the sun. One of the key differences is that in the US, solariums, also called tanning beds, are still legal in most States. Whereas in Australia, there was a complete ban that you cannot use a solarium or sunbed legally in Australia. By using tanning beds, there is a very significant risk of developing melanoma. So, there's been a lot more awareness around that.
Mike: In Australia, there's a national identity where Australians see themselves as being from a “Sunburnt Country,” which is a term that we use a lot. So, the country itself is burnt by the sun, as are all the people in it. Another cultural norm is the idea of the bronzed Aussie, which is a very tan person. These cultural stereotypes are not very helpful, and I actually found it very refreshing working in the States and seeing that there is more individual responsibility for looking after one's skin health compared to what we see in Australia. Perhaps in Australia we are overly reliant on governments’ changing policies, which is very important in public health. However, with skin cancer, individual responsibility is really where the focus needs to be. There are so many things that we can do to look after ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities. I feel there are some terrific examples of that happening in different parts of the States that we visited. We’ve traveled to the East Coast, the West Coast, and Texas and Florida, and saw terrific examples of community action in the US, which has given us a lot of hope.
What do you wish to achieve through this documentary?
Sue: One of the primary goals of the documentary is to raise awareness for people to better understand the risks of exposure to the sun, and what they can do to reduce their own personal risk, like using sunscreen, wearing hats and protective clothing, staying in the shade during peak UV times. Those kinds of behaviors can make an enormous difference in people's long-term risk of developing skin cancer. The more people understand that the more they can actually take on the messaging and change their behavior. Just from working on this film, my behaviors changed. I am now very particular about wearing sunscreen every single day, whereas before it was…I'd probably wear it in the summer, but not worry so much in winter or that sitting in the shade is actually a better option than baking myself in the sun. Not that I've done that for years. So, even as a filmmaker, I've changed my behavior because I better understand the information.
Mike: Helping to tell the story about skin cancer in the United States and elsewhere is the key thing. If you have that story in your mind, it can help you adjust your behavior. And for me, that story starts with the sun, and actually realizing that there is radiation coming out of the sun, which is not something we think about all the time, but it's something we need to be aware of in order to look after ourselves. If we accept that there is radiation being emitted from the sun, that it's higher at different times of day, different times of year, and in different parts of the United States, then we can adjust our behavior to look after ourselves. Embedding that story is part of the work that we’re focused on.
How can our readers watch the video?
Mike: The video is just coming online now. Your readers should subscribe to the YouTube channel and get free access to lots of amazing video content. If they'd like to watch the feature film, it’s available to license. To subscribe to the Channel, get free content, or license the video, visit ConqueringCancerCampaign.com.
What final thoughts would you like readers to take away from this interview?
Mike: Wipeout Melanoma California and the amazing leadership of the Stanford Cancer Institute has been hugely inspiring for us and a key feature of our work We are so thankful for everyone who participated in Northern California.
Sue: For people to see the documentary, take on board the messaging, and look after themselves is the underlying key to the film—it encourages people to take care of their health and put their skincare first.
Conquering Skin Cancer Resources
Video media tools for skin cancer education and health communication: Hospitals Toolkit | Dermatologists Toolkit | Safety Officers Toolkit
ELLEN DINUCCI is a contributing writer of WOM-California Gazette and staff member of the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement at Stanford Cancer Institute.
Health information and cited sources in this newsletter are for educational purposes only. The material from this newsletter is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical/health advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Fast Facts: Evidence-based recommendation and interventions related to skin cancer prevention
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation for skin cancer prevention.
Population: Young adults, adolescents, children, and parents of young children
Recommendation: The USPSTF recommends counseling young adults, adolescents, children, and parents of young children about minimizing exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation for persons aged 6 months to 24 years with fair skin types to reduce their risk of skin cancer.
Grade: B [read more about USPSTF grade definitions]
Learn more at: USPSTF Recommendation Summary, Skin Cancer Prevention: Behavioral Counseling, published on 03.20.2018
Note: Recommendations made by the USPSTF are independent of the U.S. government.
The National Cancer Institute has a resource website, Evidence-Based Cancer Control Programs (EBCCP).
The website features 17 evidence-based programs on sun safety and indoor tanning programs along with related recommendations.
EBCCP provides health program planners and implementers access to evidence-based program materials and additional resources, which enables the adaptation and implementation of these programs.
If your organization or community group is interested in adapting an evidence-based intervention, search for a community engagement office or a skin cancer prevention program at your nearest NCI-designated cancer center to discuss opportunities with a health program staff person.
RACHEL MESIA is a contributing writer of WOM-California Gazette, staff member of the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement at Stanford Cancer Institute, and team member of Wipe Out Melanoma - California.
Health information and cited sources in this newsletter are for educational purposes only. The material from this newsletter is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical/health advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Resources and networking for melanoma prevention and early detection
Free resources help you track your skin checks
Tracking your skin spots and skin checks can help you be aware of your body and the changes on your skin, as well as to communicate to your doctor about your concerns and changes.
War on Melanoma MoleMapper™: download from Apple Store. Learn about this app made available through Oregon Health & Science University
On paper, you can document spots and skin checks. See an example from American Academy of Dermatology Association’s Skin Examination Body Mole Map (PDF)
Find Free Skin Cancer Screening Near You
Find dates and places for the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Destination Healthy Skin Program free screening and education. The 2026 schedule is posted on the website and you can subscribe to email updates.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association can help you search for free skin cancer screening within the United States.
AIM at Melanoma | Events and Education
Living with Melanoma Symposiums are in-person and/or virtual educational events to inform patients and their caregivers about the latest research, treatments, and survivorship tips from healthcare professionals and survivors. Visit the website for the schedule or view the recorded sessions.
Check for updates on AIM at Melanoma’s Walks.
Visit AIM Webinars on Demand about support and information for people living with melanoma, caregivers, family, and friends.
Explore the AIM Video Library, which provides a collection focusing on numerous topics. Examples include the role of reconstructive surgery in melanoma; the process of clinical trial enrollment; the latest research on herbal supplements and cancer; and the importance of palliative care in melanoma. For additional educational videos, visit the AIM YouTube channel.
Information about melanoma risk and prevention
Read American Cancer Society’s overview about melanoma risk factors and prevention.
Health information and cited sources in this newsletter are for educational purposes only. The material from this newsletter is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical/health advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Resource Referral | Do you know a great resource and/or community networking for melanoma prevention and early detection? Let us know by emailing Ellen at edinucci@stanford.edu. Thank you!
WOM • California Gazette is a newsletter for the community and the collaborative partners of Wipe Out Melanoma - California. To learn more, visit med.stanford.edu/womca
Visit the WOM-California Website to learn about how partnerships, researchers, and community members are working together towards the prevention, early detection, and treatment of melanoma. For comments or questions about our newsletter content, please email Ellen at edinucci@stanford.edu.
WOM-California Gazette Editorial Team: RACHEL J. MESIA | ELLEN M. DINUCCI | SUSAN M. SWETTER
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