Skin Cancers

Australia is the skin cancer capital of the world. Luckily here at Old Bar Skin Cancer Centre we have Doctors experienced in the diagnosis of skin cancers,  with our accompanying nurses can provide surgical and medical treatments.

Warning signs and early detection are very important.

• Examine your own skin regularly.
• Book an annual skin check with one of our G.P's.
• Be suspicious and see your doctor for a professional skin check if you find:   An open sore that bleeds, oozes or crusts and does not heal (persistent, non healing sore)
• See your doctor if you find any unusual or changing growth; i.e
• Changes to lesions or moles in size, shape and or colour            
• Pigmented spot or growth which are raised and or irregular
• Symptoms of itching or bleeding
• Persistent scaly red patches with irregular borders that sometimes crusts of bleeds

 

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. About two in three Australians will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer before the age of 70. Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia.

The main cause of skin cancer is overexposure to UV radiation. This is  60% greater risk of melanoma.

Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the skin. The three main types of skin cancer – basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer and melanoma

Early melanoma is totally curable. Advanced melanoma is almost always fatal.

For best prevention, Cancer Council recommends a combination of the following:

• Wear some sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
• Use of a  broad spectrum, water resistant SPF30+ sunscreen
• Wear a hat- broad brim or legionnaire style (not a cap) to protect extremities.
• Stay out of the mid-day sun, Seek shade wherever possible.
• Use Australian standard protective sun-glasses.
• http://www.bom.gov.au/uv, 
• http://www.melanoma.org.au

For more information: Skin Cancer foundation: www.skincancer.org