As we farewell the warmer weather in Victoria, now is the perfect time to take a moment and consider a skin check with your GP. Summer is a whirlwind of Christmas parties, beach days and long days spent outside. Now that the hectic silly season is a distant memory, we have time to prioritise something very important. Our skin health.
Ask yourself: when was the last time you did a thorough skin check on your own body? It’s difficult, we know. Life is busy and it’s not easy to check out every mole on those far-flung places on your body. If the answer was over a year ago (or never!) book in at BMC to have a skin check (a longer appointment will be necessary for this) and let one of our experienced GPs put your mind at ease.
Almost all skin cancers in Australia are caused by too much exposure to UV radiation, the part of sunlight that causes tanning, sunburn and skin damage over time.
In Australia today, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. Each year, more than 14,000 Australians are diagnosed with a melanoma and close to a million new cases of non-melanoma skin cancers are treated. Skin cancer is mostly preventable, and there are effective treatment options available.
You might think of skin cancer as an older person’s disease, but you might be shocked to learn that melanoma is the most common cancer in 15-39 year olds. If you are going to die of cancer between the years of 20 and 39 it will probably be from melanoma.
Early detection offers the best opportunity for a positive outcome.
What are the symptoms of skin cancer?
Skin cancers first appear as a spot, lump or scaly area on the skin, or a mole that changes colour, size or shape over several weeks or months. These changes can appear anywhere on the body, particularly areas frequently exposed to the sun. Skin cancers may bleed and become inflamed and can be tender to the touch.
Changes may include an area that is scaly, shiny, pale or bright pink in colour, or a spot or lump that grows quickly and is thick, red, scaly or crusted.
Who is at risk?
While anyone can get skin cancer, it is more common if you are older. The risk is also higher if you have:
- previously had skin cancer or have family history of skin cancer
- fair or freckled skin, particularly if it burns easily or doesn’t tan
- red or fair hair and light-coloured eyes
- a weakened immune system
- sunspots or irregular moles on your body
- worked, played sport or spent leisure time in the sun
- actively tan or use sun beds
If you have olive or dark skin, your skin produces more melanin, which protects against UV radiation. However, it’s still possible for you to develop skin cancer.
Skin Checks by a Qualified GP
Your GP will conduct a physical examination by looking at your skin to identify any suspicious spots using a dermatoscope (a magnifying glass for the skin).
It’s not always possible to tell from looking at it whether a spot or lump is cancerous or not. So, your doctor or dermatologist may take a skin biopsy. This is where part of, or all of, your spot is removed and sent for further study.
Can skin cancer be prevented?
Skin cancer is almost entirely preventable. Making sun protection a part of your life, avoiding sunburn, and checking your skin regularly will help prevent further damage to your skin.
Information sourced from https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/skin-cancer-and-melanomas#prevention
