It is so important that we learn about skin cancer and sun protection. Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer before the age of 70. The main cause of skin cancer is overexposure to the sun’s invisible ultraviolet radiation. The more exposure you have over your lifetime, the greater your risk of cancer. Working outdoors will increase your skin cancer risk, as will a history of severe sunburns and tanning. Each episode of sunburn will increase the risk of melanoma.
Family history of skin cancer, fair skin, a large number of mole may also make you more susceptible to developing skin cancer.
Most people diagnosed with skin cancer are over the age of 45 ,however, melanoma is also by far the most common cancer diagnosed among 15–29 year olds.
Skin cancer can develop very quickly, so it’s important not to just rely on an annual skin checks. 12 months is a long time and cancers could appear and grow within this period.
Regularly check your skin, including those areas you rarely expose to the sun. Anywhere on your skin that you may have mole, there might be a hidden melanoma. Moles and melanoma have same origin. Make sure you have good lighting and ask someone (or use mirrors) to check those areas of your skin that you can’t see.
By getting to know what looks normal for you, you’ll quickly notice if a spot changes or a new spot appears.
Almost all of us have freckles, moles and skin blemishes of some sort. But signs these spots have turned cancerous include changes in shape, colour or size. Skin cancers can also appear as a new spot. Lonely lesions are usually dangerous. If you notice a lonely spot, that does not look like other spots nearby, it might be a skin cancer.
There are three main types of skin cancer, each with their own particular signs:
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common and least dangerous form. It appears as a lump or a dry, scaly area; is red, pale or pearly in colour; and can ulcerate as it grows or appear as a sore that fails to heal completely.
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is less common, but can spread to other parts of the body if it’s left untreated. It can be a thickened, red, scaly spot that bleeds easily, crusts and ulcerates.
- Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer because it can quickly spread fast to other parts of the body. Signs of melanoma includes spots that are asymmetrical; have an uneven, smudgy border; blotchy colour that can include brown, black, blue, grey or red; and can be larger than 7mm. Nodular melanoma is a particularly aggressive form of melanoma that doesn’t fit the usual criteria – it is often red, pink, brown or black and feels firm to the touch.
If you pick up anything unusual on your skin, it’s important to get it looked at as soon as you can for peace of mind. The earlier skin cancer is found, the more successful the treatment is likely to be.
You can call us for a skin check or only to check the spot that concerns you. Doctor will check your skin and provide you with advice on the most appropriate next steps. We may have to remove the spot or take a small sample for testing.
