I love a sunburnt country, A land of sweeping plains,

Of ragged mountain ranges, Of droughts and flooding rains.

I love her far horizons, I love her jewel-sea,

Her beauty and her terror – The wide brown land for me!

Dorothea Mackellar, ‘My Country’, 1908

With the beginning of summer fast approaching, most of us are getting excited about various outdoor adventures, making this a good opportunity to revisit some facts about the potential effects of sun exposure on our health.

Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes wrinkles, skin and eye damage, ultimately leading to skin cancer. UV cannot be seen or felt. It is not like the sun’s light which we see, or the sun’s warmth (infrared radiation) which we feel. Our senses cannot detect UV so it can be damaging without us knowing.

The majority of skin cancers in Australia are the result of UV exposure.

Currently, two in three Australians will develop at least one skin cancer by the time they are 70. The earlier these are detected, the easier they are to treat and the better the outcome.

Downloading the free SunSmart App allows you to check on the UV levels before heading outdoors.

REMEMEBER TO:

• SLIP on SUN PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
• SLOP on SUNSCREEN (SPF 30 or higher, broad-spectrum & water-resistant. Apply at least 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours, or more often if perspiring or swimming)
• SLAP on a HAT (broad-brimmed hat that shades your face, neck and ears)
• SEEK SHADE
• SLIDE on SUNNIES (ideally wrap-around)

Sid the Seagull makes this concept quite fun for little ones (link to video)

Some people are at higher risk for developing skin cancer.

If you have any of the following, you should aim to have regular skin checks:

• Fairer skin colour.
• A large number of moles on your skin.
• A history of bad sunburns, suntans or solarium use.
• Working or spending long periods of time outdoors.
• A personal or family history of skin cancer.

It is important that we get to know our own skin and seek a professional opinion if we have any concerns. It is recommended that you regularly have a look at your skin from top to toe, and get a friend or relative to look at those areas you can’t see, like your scalp, neck and back.

https://dermnetnz.org/topics/self-skin-examination/

Skin cancers are extremely varied in appearance, which is why a skin check with a trained professional is the best way to detect skin cancers early.

In general, sores that fail to heal, lesions that change size or shape, lesions that stand out and look different, or any new lesions should all be prompts for you to be clinically reviewed. As melanoma can develop in the eye, you should also have regular eye checks by an optometrist.

How often you get your skin checked is dependent on your previous history and overall risk. Generally, regular skin checks are not commenced until adulthood. However, skin cancers can occur at any age, so if you have a skin lesion that is concerning to you, it is worthwhile having it looked at.

Have you had your skin check…..?

Wishing everyone a fun and glorious summer in the beautiful Great Southern!

This article has been written by Dr Sabrina MacKinley