Skin checks and sun safety
Skin checks
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer which usually occurs on parts of the body that have been overexposed to the sun. It’s the third most common cancer diagnosed in Australia, which has the world’s highest incidence rate for melanoma (along with New Zealand). Melanoma is more common in men than in women: 1 in 13 men are diagnosed with melanoma by the age of 85, compared to 1 in 21 women.
Here at Monash, we have doctors who specialise in skin-screening checks. Melanoma can occur at any age, so please book an appointment for a skin check today.
To find out what you should look out for, use the ABCD of melanoma detection.
Sun safety
We all love the outdoors, especially in the warmer months, but too much sun can be damaging and lead to the risk of sunburn. So here are some simple things you can do to help you stay safe:
- Use the SunSmart app: it’s a great way to monitor sun exposure, providing sun protection times, a sunscreen calculator and an alert function.
- Slip on clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible.
- Slop on SPF 30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen.
- Slap on a hat.
- Seek shade wherever possible.
- Slide on some sunglasses.
Resources
- Cancer Council Australia – Skin cancer
Find out what causes skin cancer, the symptoms of skin cancer and how you can treat it. - Cancer Council Australia – Skin Cancer Statistics and Issues
- Health Direct – Skin cancer and melanomas
- SunSmart program
SunSmart is all about skin cancer prevention awareness, supporting early detection of skin cancer, and advocating for strategies that reduce the health and economic effects of skin cancer.