Prevention

By following the simple yet crucial steps below, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing skin cancer and promote long-term skin health. Remember that prevention and early detection are key to combating skin cancer effectively.

Self examinations – Regularly examine your skin for any changes, including new moles, growths, or changes in existing moles or freckles.

– Use the ABCDE rule to identify potential melanomas:

• • • Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other half.
    • Border irregularity: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
    • Color: The color is not uniform and may include shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of pink, red, white, or blue.
    • Diameter: The size of the mole is larger than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser), although melanomas can be smaller.
    • Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, or colour

Additionally, be aware of any sores that don’t heal, pigmented patches that are new or changing, or any other unusual changes on your skin. Remember, if you notice anything suspicious, it’s essential to consult a skin specialist for further evaluation and guidance. 

Regular Professional Skin Examinations – Regular skin checks are a proactive approach to maintaining skin health and reducing the risk of skin cancer. They empower individuals to become familiar with their skin, recognize any changes, and seek timely medical attention when necessary

Risk Factors –  Understand your personal risk factors for skin cancer, including a family history of skin cancer, fair skin, history of sunburns, and presence of many moles. Australians have one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world due to the country’s extensive sun exposure and high UV index. The fair skin type prevalent in many Australians also contributes to their susceptibility to skin cancer. By the age of 70yrs, 70% of Australian’s will have had a skin cancer.

Sun Protection – Sun protection is crucial for preventing skin cancer, as prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is a significant risk factor for developing the disease. Some effective sun protection measures to help prevent skin cancer include: wearing sunscreen, seek shade, wear protective clothing, use sunscreen, avoid tanning beds, check the UV index and being mindful of reflection off things like water, snow and sand.