Skin checks should be done:
- Annually
- Whenever you notice marks on skin that are new, itchy, changing shape or bleeding
Doctors will excise any suspicious lesions.
Queensland has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. If caught early, 95% of skin cancers are treatable.
Prevention is the Aim
The best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect yourself from the sun. Doctors suggest that people of all ages limit their time in the sun and avoid other sources of UV radiation:
- It is best to stay out of the midday sun (from mid-morning to late afternoon) whenever you can. Protect yourself from UV radiation. Reflected UV radiation can go through light clothing, windshields, windows and clouds.
- Wear long sleeves and long pants of tightly woven fabrics, a wide brimmed hat, and sunglasses that absorb UV.
- Use sunscreen lotions. Sunscreen may help prevent skin cancer, especially broad-spectrum sunscreen (to filter UVB and UVA rays) with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30
- Do no use sunlamps and tanning booths
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