In Australia, we experience strong, harmful heat waves across the country time and again. It’s critical to protect your skin and prevent sun damage – which if left unchecked, can eventually lead to Skin Cancer. Australians are particularly susceptible to skin cancer, with about two in three Australians diagnosed with the disease by 70. Skin cancer also accounts for around 80% of all recently diagnosed cancers in Australia.
Defend yourself and your family from Skin Cancer
First, everyone needs to get Skin Cancer Checks once a year, or more often if they have a family history of this disease. Skin cancer checks are comparatively hassle-free, only lasting 15 minutes on average. Here’s what you must know:
- On your primary visit, you will be asked questions regarding your and your family’s skin cancer history. Make sure you have prepared some of the answers to those questions beforehand.
- Let the doctors know if there are any body-specific areas that you are concerned about. They can pay proper attention to those and alleviate any concerns.
- For a complete skin examination, you might have to undress down to your underwear. You will be given an examination gown for the same.
- A skin expert will carry out a visual examination of your skin. They will be checking for unusual skin lesions or moles with abnormal colours or shapes.
- In some cases, skin professionals will use a particular machine that takes images of skin lesions, freckles or moles that are kept on your record for future comparison.
- If doctors come across an area of concern during the inspection, a biopsy will be taken for further examination, and you will be given the results.
- The outcomes of your screening will remain confidential.
Top Tips to Prevent Skin Cancer
In between checkups, you must do your part to stay protected in the summer, so we’ve listed these 7 handy tips:
- Wear attire that covers as much skin as possible.
- Apply a minimum of SPF30+ water-resistant sunscreen at least 20 minutes before stepping out in the sun and re-apply every 2 hours.
- If you’re spending long hours outside for your work, sports or a BBQ, seek shaded areas wherever possible.
- Don’t be deceived by overcast situations. UV radiations can be just as harmful to the skin on cloudy days.
- Wear sunglasses outside during the day.
- Be informed of changes to your epidermis and ask a friend or family member to watch for any freckles, marks or unusual moles that may have changed texture or shape that isn’t easily seen (i.e. on your back).
- Lastly, if you speculate something is not right, don’t wait; get it examined by a skin cancer specialist.
If you suspect that there’s something’s not right in any area of your body, contact Batemans Bay Medical Centre to get professional advice. Call 0000 000 000
Batemans Bay Medical and Skin Center