New data shows Victorian men over 45 suffer melanoma at twice the rate of women in the same age group.

Slip, slop, slap - and go to the doctor is Cancer Council Victoria's warning to men over 45.

The latest data shows Victorian men over 45 are 41 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma than women.

"I call them the pre-SunSmart, baby oil baby boomers," Epworth HealthCare director of dermatology Rod Sinclair told reporters on Thursday.

"The majority of my patients are men 45 or over who wait too long to get a suspicious spot checked."

Skin cancer survivor Robert Maling, 47, has been battling the disease since his late 20s and has huge scars showing the damage it can do.

"I didn't spend hours sunbaking or going to the beach or anything," Mr Maling said.

"I mean, the last time I got sunburnt was when I was hanging out the washing for about 15 minutes, so it really doesn't take long."

Professor Sinclair said Mr Maling's melanoma was life-threatening, and his chance of a cure is like the roll of a dice.

"Every year without relapse is a good year but he has to be monitored very closely," Prof Sinclair said.

Cancer Council Victoria director of prevention Craig Sinclair said men are less likely to see their doctor, wear a hat or use sun protection.

"We know men spend more time outside during peak UV times yet are less likely to use sun protection compared with women," he said.

Data shows just one-quarter of men use sunscreen and just 10 per cent reapply every two hours as recommended.

AAP.