Burnt to death
An average of eight people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day in NSW alone. Kay Coppa finds out who is at risk and when to see a doctor.

Every time you get sunburnt increases your risk of developing skin cancer.

Anyone can develop skin cancer, but if you’re over 55, you are in a group that is most at risk. Factors such as your skin type, the colour of your eyes, the number of times you’ve been sunburnt and any history of previous skin cancers all play a part. The good news is that 95 per cent of melanomas are treatable if caught early.

Did you know?

• Every day, two people aged 55 and over die from melanoma in Australia.
• Melanoma deaths are higher in older men than older women.
• Five or more sunburns in your lifetime can double your risk of skin cancer.
• Melanomas can occur on parts of the body that are difficult to see, even those that haven’t been exposed to the sun.
• A melanoma can become life threatening in as little as six weeks.
• More than 95 per cent of melanomas are treatable if caught early.

How often do you check?

You should check your skin regularly – at least every three months. Keep a record of the dates you check your skin and make notes about anything you’re keeping an eye on. You should get your skin seen by a general practitioner or dermatologist once a year. Any spot that appears on the lips or ears should be seen by a GP immediately. If you have been diagnosed with a skin cancer, ask your GP or dermatologist about how often you should be checking.

Who should check?

The risk of developing skin cancer increases with age. Death from melanoma is highest in people aged over 55. But anyone aged 18 and over would benefit from getting to know their own skin.

Who is at risk?

Anyone who spent their childhood in Australia, or spends time in the sun, is at risk of developing melanoma and other skin cancers.

Some people have a higher level of risk than others.

You should be extra careful about checking your skin if you have any of the following:

• a large number of moles;
• suffered sunburn in the past;
• fair skin that burns easily, freckles and does not tan;
• blue or green eyes and/or fair or red hair;
• been diagnosed with skin cancer in the past; and
• a family history of melanoma.

What to look for

The more you examine your own skin, the more you will learn what’s normal for you and what may have changed since you last looked.

How to check your skin

Everyone can check their own skin, but it helps to have someone help you with those difficult-to-see places. With a bit of practice, most people can check their whole body in 15 minutes. Why not check your skin when you are getting dressed or getting out of the shower?

When you examine your skin, you’ll need a full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror. You will need to undress completely. The room you use will need to be well lit.

There is no specific skin examination method. The following steps are suggested by the Australasian College of Dermatologists.

Check your face, head and neck

Check the whole face, including around the nose, lips and ears. The scalp can be difficult to examine. Make sure you part your hair. Try using a hand-held blow dryer or a comb to lift the hair from the scalp or ask your partner or a friend to help. Turn your back to the fulllength mirror and use your handheld mirror to check the back of your neck and ears.

Check your torso

Check front, back and sides. Raise your arms and look and your right and left side.

Check your arms and hands

Hold your hands with the palms face up. Look at your fingers and spaces between the fingers. Turn your hands over and examine the backs of your hands, fingers, spaces between the fingers and fingernails. Face the mirror and look at your forearms and upper arms. Bend your elbows to look at the undersides.

Check your legs and buttocks

With your back towards the fulllength mirror, look at your buttocks and the backs of your thighs and lower legs. Turn and face the mirror and check the front of your thighs and lower legs. Sit down and cross one leg over the other. Examine the top of your foot, the toes, toenails and spaces between the toes. Then use the hand-held mirror to look at the sole or bottom of your foot. Repeat the step with your other foot.

If you spot something

If you see anything on your skin that has changed in size, shape or colour, that itches or you do not think was there before, there are several things you can do.

• See your GP or medical officer: Your GP knows your full history, can examine your skin and advise you about appropriate care.
• See a dermatologist: If you would like a second opinion, ask your GP to refer you to a specialist, such as a dermatologist. Your GP may suggest you see a specialist anyway.
• Visit a skin cancer clinic: There are many skin cancer clinics available, offering a variety of services and fee arrangements. Skin cancer clinics are usually operated by GPs.

Protect yourself

You can protect your skin from further sun damage by following simple sun protection practices every day. It is never too late to start protecting your skin. Be sun safe every day – not just at work or at the beach, but in the garden, walking the dog or going shopping.

• Avoid the sun in peak UV times between 10am and 2pm (11am and 3pm during daylight saving).
• Stay in the shade whenever possible.
• Wear clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
• Wear a broad-brimmed hat.
• Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30-plus rating. Reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
• Wear sunglasses.

Need more information?

• Call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.
• Visit the Cancer Council web site at www.cancercouncil.com.au.
• Talk to your GP.

Information for this article has been sourced from the Cancer Council NSW’s Skin Cancer: Get the facts and save your own skin booklet.

The spots to look out for

Melanoma

• Any new spot, mole or freckle.
• Any existing spot, mole or freckle that changes colour, size or shape.
• Any spot, mole or freckle that has an irregular or smudgy outline.
• Any spot, mole or freckle that is blotchy and has more than one colour.

Nodular Melanoma

• Any small, round lump that was not there before.
• A spot that can resemble a blood blister and is black, brown, red or pink in colour.
• A lump that has grown quickly.

Squamous cell carcinoma

• Any thickened, red, scaly spot, especially on parts of the body often exposed to the sun.
• A spot that may bleed or ulcerate.

Basal cell carcinoma

• A spot that may appear as a lump or scaling area;
• will be red or pearly in colour.
• Tends to ulcerate and bleed easily and does not heal.

Harmless spots that are warning signs you may be prone to skin cancer

Dysplastic naevi

• Flat, fairly large moles which share some of the features of early melanoma.
• Irregular borders and uneven colour with multiple shades of brown and sometimes pink.

Solar keratoses

• Red, flattish, scaling areas which may sting if scratched.
• Sunspots appear on sunexposed skin in the over- 40 age group.

Harmless spots that are not cancerous or a sign of potential cancers

Freckles and moles

• Freckles are harmless coloured spots that range in size from 1 to 10mm.
• Moles that are evenly coloured and may or may not be raised.
• Moles with clear, even edges that are usually circular or oval in shape.

Seborrhoeic keratoses

• Have a discrete edge and often sit on top of the skin.
• Colour varies from pale skin to black.
• Size varies from a few millimetres to 2cm.

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