Four Hunter areas have made the top 25 melanoma hotspots in NSW, amid calls for more shade in high-risk areas like community sport venues.
Three of the region's areas slipped slightly down the Cancer Institute NSW rankings, but Maitland moved out of the top 25 and Cessnock came in.
At number 13, Port Stephens ranked highest in the Hunter, followed by Lake Macquarie (16), Cessnock (21) and Newcastle (25).
Last year, the Hunter rankings were: Port Stephens (12), Lake Macquarie (15), Maitland (20), Newcastle (24).
The institute named Ballina, Lismore and Byron as the top three areas for melanoma incidence.
It also ranked hotspots by local health district, with Northern NSW and Mid North Coast in the top two.
Hunter New England ranked third, equalling last year's result.
Melanoma was the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Hunter New England from 2017 to 2021, with 4215 cases.
Over that period, it was the ninth most common cancer in the district for deaths, with 395 cases recorded.
"That tells me the improved immunotherapy treatments are making a difference, and that people are detecting melanomas early," Hunter Melanoma Foundation executive officer Claudia Tolhurst said.
"That's exactly what we want. We want people to be checking their own skin and getting skin checks."
Ms Tolhurst urged people to consider the UV rates shown on weather apps, not just temperatures.
"If the UV is three and above, that's when they need to protect their skin," she said.
Ms Tolhurst said "we need to follow the slip, slop, slap, seek and slide".
The last two lesser known words referred to "seeking shade and sliding on wraparound sunglasses to prevent sun damage".
Ms Tolhurst said a netball carnival held last week was a good example.
"There was absolutely no shade there. We need to look at getting more shade in high-risk areas, where people are outside all day," she said.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said Novocastrians "love to get out in the sun and enjoy a summer by the beach, but that lifestyle can pose dangers".
Mr Crakanthorp urged people make sure they take steps this summer to "reduce the risk of this deadly disease".
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the latest hotspot map was "a timely reminder, as we head into summer, to always take protective measures when outdoors".
"Most melanoma hotspots are in regional areas, but it's important to remember that no matter where you live, the risk of skin cancer is ever present," Mr Park said.
"Australia has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world.
"As a community, it's imperative we take the threat of skin cancer seriously and follow the simple, life-saving steps needed to reduce our risk of this deadly disease."
Cancer Institute NSW CEO, Professor Tracey O'Brien, said "two out of three Australians will be treated for skin cancer in their lifetime".
"Protecting our skin from the sun from a very young age, and into adulthood, is key to reducing our risk of this devastating disease," Professor O'Brien said.
"In NSW, UV radiation levels are high 10 months of the year and even short bursts of exposure to the sun can be deadly."
She urged people to seek shade when outdoors, wear sunscreen, put on a hat, and wear sunglasses and protective clothing.
