Don’t underestimate the skin cancer threat 

The sun is not our friend. Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world and Queensland has the highest rate of skin cancer in Australia, at nearly double the average of the other states combined.

Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime and sadly about 2,000 Australians will lose their lives to skin cancer this year.

Most people are aware of melanoma, which is the most lethal type of skin cancer. But melanomas only make up about one in 50 skin cancers. We call all the others Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (NMSC).

Happily, the number of deaths from melanoma in Australia is falling, and has been since about 2011.

But the trend is starkly different for NMSC. Research published earlier this year by our skin cancer research team at the University of the Sunshine Coast demonstrated that the number of deaths from NMSC has almost doubled over the past 20 years.

So how can we enjoy our wonderful beachside lifestyle but remain safe from skin cancer? 

Get a skin check or do it yourself 

The fight against skin cancer has three main pillars: early detection, better treatments for advanced disease, and prevention.

The good news is, we have made great strides in all three of these areas.

With early detection, there are many skilled GPs in our community who can do a skin check. It only takes minutes and many free clinics are available (paid for by Medicare).

You can also help to identify suspicious spots on your skin by yourself. Get to know your skin and what is normal for you. I’ve developed a habit of regularly checking my skin for new spots or changes.

Melanomas and Non Melanoma Skin Cancers usually look different on your skin.

Melanomas can appear as a new pigmented (brown) spot or an existing spot that grows or changes shape or colour. Melanomas can occur anywhere on your skin – even under your feet!

NMSCs typically occur on sun-exposed skin and the two most common types are squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinomas usually appear as a thick, red, scaly spot that grows over a few months.

Basal cell carcinomas, the most common type of skin cancer, can appear as a red, pale or pearly lump or a dry, scaly patch.

If you find any spot, lump or patch that looks like an ugly duckling to you, it’s best to get it checked out by your doctor.

For more information check out the Cancer Council’s tips.

Seek treatment asap – patients are living longer and surviving 

Great progress has been made in the field of medical therapy for advanced skin cancers including melanoma.

Immunotherapy has revolutionised the field and Australia has been at the forefront. Groundbreaking research on immunotherapy in melanoma is underway here in Australia.

Even better, immunotherapy works for NMSC (and other types of cancer) as well. It uses your body’s own defences, your immune cells, to attack cancer cells.

The outlook for people with advanced skin cancer is much rosier that it was only a few years ago, with patients now surviving longer and many completely cured.

Make the most of the outdoors – wisely 

Prevention is the one pillar where we still have a lot of work to do.

The Cancer Council’s Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide campaign continues to educate Australians young and old about the dangers of the sun and how to avoid it. Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade, slide on sunglasses.

But I regularly see evidence of the attitude that a tan is a desirable thing – a mark of youth, health, fitness or attractiveness. Some people under 30 seem to believe that suntanning is fine at that age.

We must change this attitude – after all, the idea that a suntan is a good thing is a relatively recent idea. In western countries, it was not until the 1920s that tanned skin became viewed as desirable.

New initiatives are underway. The Australian Government and digital content creators have gotten behind the ‘End The Trend’ campaign. Tanned skin is unhealthy. Tanned skin is damaged.

These holidays, the sun won’t stop my family and I enjoying outdoor activities such as volunteering for surf lifesaving patrols – but we will take whatever precautions we can. Walking on the beach with the dog and swimming in the ocean with friends are great fun – especially in the early mornings, before the UV index gets too high.

Find out more about healthy sun exposure at the Queensland Health.