Daily sunscreen use is superior to early detection when it comes to the long-term control of melanoma and should be given priority in public health investment, Australian researchers say.

Their analysis is the first to compare the cost-effectiveness of melanoma prevention with early detection strategies.

It found that systematic sunscreen use at a population level could prevent more deaths from skin cancers than screening with whole-body skin checks while bringing a significant saving in healthcare costs.

The research team, led by the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane, drew on data from two population-based randomised controlled trials, along with epidemiological and costing reports, and melanoma data from the Queensland Cancer Registry.