Introduction: Melanoma is a malignant skin tumour. Its incidence doubles every 10 years. The sooner it is diagnosed, the better the chances for successful treatment. Therefore, the need has arisen to spread knowledge about early detection of melanoma and its prevention. Aim of the study: To assess the knowledge and the extent to which skin cancer preventive measures are followed in selected groups of inhabitants of Poland and Australia. Material and methods: The study was conducted in a group of 267 people, 151 of whom lived in Poland and 116 in Australia. The study was carried out with the application of a diagnostic survey method. The research technique was a survey, and the research tool was a questionnaire designed by the authors. The study findings were examined by means of statistical analysis. Results: The study showed that although the average level of knowledge is good (46.4%), the extent to which the rules of melanoma prevention are applied is still unsatisfactory in the majority of population (42.3%). It was observed that Australian inhabitants had higher scores in both aforementioned cases (p < 0.001); 91.4% of respondents had at least satisfactory knowledge about melanoma and 78.4% of them took proper preventive measures, whereas in Poland it was 75.5% and 41.7%, respectively. Conclusions: In most cases the respondents have a good level of knowledge, but they do not follow the rules of melanoma prevention. Australians have more knowledge about melanoma, and they are also more likely to take preventive measures.

Aim of the study: To assess the correlation between skin phototypes and selected sociodemographic factors and health behaviours connected with skin cancer prevention. Material and methods: The study was conducted in a group of 267 patients. It was carried out with the application of a diagnostic survey method. The research technique was a survey and the research tool was a questionnaire designed by the authors. Results: The study showed a correlation between skin phototype and following the rules of skin cancer prevention (p < 0.001): people with skin phototype I, characterised by pale white skin, were more likely to apply sun protection rules. The percentage of respondents with a higher level of health behaviours increased with the respondents' age (p < 0.001). The higher the respondents' education, the higher the percentage of them who took proper melanoma precautions (p < 0.005). The level of health behaviours was also higher in people who had been diagnosed with melanoma or had been treated for skin cancer in the past or whose family member or friend suffered from this type of cancer (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Respondents with a phototype characterised by fair complexion were more likely to follow skin cancer prevention rules. The intensity of health behaviours aimed at cancer prevention increased with the respondents' age and level of education. Both melanoma diagnosis and the incidence of skin cancer in respondents' family or friends led to a higher level of their health behaviours.