UVR Attacks – Why Skin Cancer in Australia is the Ultimate Shark

Is it a great surprise to learn that the annual death rate from skin cancer is greater than the national road toll?

Unfortunately, 2 in 3 Australian’s are diagnosed with skin cancer by age 70 and almost 2000 Australians will die from skin cancer each year.

Skin cancer also remains to this day the most diagnosed cancer in the world.

The good news is that if skin cancer is found early, there is more than a 95% chance for a complete recovery. However, the key to essentially reduce the rates of skin cancer in Australia is prevention.

Spotscreen’s Director of Clinical Services, Skin Cancer Screening Specialist and Author of the International Best Seller, ‘The Number 1 Guide to Preventing Skin Cancer’ Karen Ong, says there are many ways to minimise our risks of developing skin cancer.

“Being overly exposed to ultra-violet radiation on a regular basis can increase your chances of developing skin cancer and have many other negative effects to your skin,” Ms Ong said.

“If we would consider the risks from UVR in the same way we do a shark attack, and use the recommended precautions to protect ourselves, the incidence of, and death rates by, skin cancer would be significantly reduced.

Let’s rename ‘sunburn’ ‘UVR attack’ and view UVR alerts with as much respect as we do shark alerts.”

For decades, Australia has been actively promoting sun safety awareness and prevention strategies.

Our workplaces are ideally the primary enforcer of sun-safe messages to adults. As such, they play a significant role in reducing future skin cancer rates due to their ability to reinforce ultraviolet radiation (UVR) protection.

Outdoor workers are at a particular high risk of developing skin cancer, as is the workplace that employs them. This is why educating staff in skin cancer and sun safety practices can help save lives and reduce the risk of workers’ compensation liability.

“Sun protection methods that should be predominately enforced during both work and leisure hours include wearing SPF 50+ sunscreen, close fitting wrap-around sunglasses, a wide brim hat, protective clothing and SPF 50+ lip balm,” Ms Ong said.

“These items will effectively give the best protection when in sun exposed areas.”

It has also been highly advocated by skin cancer experts to check skin on a regular basis. A self-check examination requires all areas of the body to be looked over, including the webs of fingers and toes. Areas such as the top of the head, neck and back can be checked using a mirror and good light, or to ask a trusted friend or partner to assist in the process.

“Some melanoma and skin cancers can spontaneously arise on parts of your body not always exposed to the sun including on the foot, on the eye or even around the genital area. These are an unlucky occurrence but make sure to check these parts of the body,” Ms Ong said.

And essentially, all Australians should receive a professional full body examination at least every 12 months. The Melanoma Institute of Australia (2015) says that health professionals use a number of tools and techniques to examine skin thoroughly, beyond what the naked eye can see.

This is why Spotscreen’s skin cancer specialists use state-of-the-art technology; to identify skin changes on a sub-surface level and to increase their ability to identify melanomas and other skin cancers at a very early stage.