Be someone's hero: encourage them to get a skin check. It could save their life.
Did someone encourage you to get a skin check and thereby saved your life? Did you spot an unusual mole on someone’s body and urged them to see a doctor? Did someone inform you that you were at high risk of skin cancer when you weren't aware? We would love to learn more about your skin cancer story and “your hero”.
Despite skin cancer being the easiest type of cancer to treat if detected early, every six hours an Australian still dies from melanoma. There is one simple thing you can do for someone you care about: encourage them to get a skin check. It could save their life.
Send us your story along with a photo, or record a video describing your journey. Your words have the power to make a difference and save someone's life.
I knew I was past due for my next skin cancer check and had it on my to-do list for some time. I had a basal cell carcinoma removed in my late 20s so I know how important it is to get checked regularly by skin cancer doctors. Plus, my mother and sister have histories of skin cancers, emphasising just how important it is for me to keep on top of my own skin health.
Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging in many ways, it gave me an opportunity to catch up on all my health-related appointments that I never manage to get to as a full-time working mum.
During my skin check, I discussed some concerns with my doctor, relating to some peeling I was experiencing on my lip over a period of time. This time, I was lucky to learn it was a sun spot. I discussed with the doctor the likelihood that I may have other nastier things on my lip that might be difficult to pick up. He outlined three options available to me, emphasising that it was my choice on what action to take, but providing his opinion. Now we have an action plan in place on how to watch my skin and reduce my likelihood of other skin cancer problems.
The reality is that the peeling on my lip could have been a symptom of something much worse. It is a reminder to always prioritise your health, including health checks, and not be afraid to raise any small issue. You never know what it might turn out to be!
- Emma Liversidge, skin cancer survivor
My hero is my mate Martin. I was at his place watching the cricket and having a chat, when he asked me, "What is that on your arm?" I said, "I'm not sure. It looks like a rash and it's been there for a few weeks." He responded with, "I would get that checked out by your doctor."
I got a skin check and it turned out to be stage II malignant melanoma. The surgeon told me that if I had left it for a few months, I may not be here today.
My hero is the team at Sun Patrol Skin Cancer Centre Officer, who encouraged me to get a skin check. Having red hair and blue eyes, I was the trifecta. Now I am 24 and have had my second stage I malignant melanoma removed. I thought that couldn’t possibly happen to me; I was just a young mum with a desk job that hated the sun. I thought melanoma only affected the older generation or people who were always outside. Without a skin check I would never have found the melanomas.
My hero's name is Gizmo and he is a 10-year-old, very loving, devoted Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Two years ago I noticed Gizmo's behaviour change in regards to me. He would constantly follow me and sniff a particular mole on my leg. When I sat down with him, his nose would constantly go to the mole on my leg. One day I was walking to the clothes line and virtually almost tripped over him because he wouldn't leave my leg alone. This is when I made the decision to get the mole checked out.
My hero is Linda, the Practice Manager of the New Town Skin Cancer Centre! I am a professional window cleaner and whilst window cleaning at the facility she suggested that I should book in to have my skin checked.
As a window cleaner, I spend most of my work life outdoors which puts me in the high risk group of developing skin cancer. I was completely unaware of the melanoma growing on my arm.
My hero is the team at the cricket hub Cricket Southern Bayside (CSB). When they encouraged all members to get a skin check, I followed their advice and that potentially saved my life.
I had a suspicious spot on my forehead that I knew needed checking, but that wasn’t the end of it. Two spots on my face were biopsied and turned out to be basal cell carcinomas.
My hero is my mum. When I was 12 years old, Mum noticed an abnormal freckle on my right tricep. Even though my mum had been told by her dermatologist that children didn’t need a skin check until they turned 16, she booked an appointment with our local GP to get my freckle looked at. The doctor referred us to Coorparoo Skin Cancer Centre, where I was diagnosed with melanoma. Mum always knows best!
My hero is the doctor who acted so quickly to save my life 37 years ago. I had a mole behind my ear. He took one look at it, asked me to wait and left the room. I spent five hours on the operating table the next day while they removed a melanoma under my skin that was the size of the palm of my hand. The only indicator had been an itchy mole on the surface.
Determined to make a difference
Enthusiastic team
Excellence in delivery
Passionate about saving lives
Regular full-body skin examinations are vital for catching cancers before they become serious. Skin exams take about 15 - 30 minutes, and the doctor will start by asking about your skin cancer risk factors and general health. You will need to undress to your underwear. If you wish, we can provide a blanket or gown for you to wear while the doctor inspects your body from head to toe, looking for abnormal moles or spots. We will not examine the genital area unless you have any spots in that region which particularly concern you.
Read MoreThe doctor will closely examine any unusual spots using a dermatoscope. This close-up perspective helps us assess whether a mole is normal or abnormal. It is a completely painless process that has been proven to increase the rate of skin cancer detection. We may also photograph a few spots to monitor changes over time, as this can be indicative of skin cancer.
Read MoreIf the doctor finds a suspicious spot that might be skin cancer, a sample of skin will be removed and sent to a pathology lab to be thoroughly examined under a microscope. This is called a biopsy, and it helps confirm whether the suspicious spot is cancerous. The most common biopsy techniques are shave and punch biopsies, which are both done under a local anaesthetic. A shave biopsy involves shaving off the top layer of skin with a small surgical blade, while a punch biopsy uses a tool like a tiny cookie cutter to remove all the layers of skin.
Read MoreThe treatment you receive for skin cancer will depend on the type, size and location of the skin cancer, and whether it has spread to other parts of your body. We offer various surgical and non-surgical treatments, including excisions of the tumour and surrounding tissue to ensure all the cancerous cells are entirely removed, curettage which is the method of scraping and burning the skin cancer, cryotherapy which is the method of freezing off the skin cancer with liquid nitrogen, and topical applications of creams that stimulate the immune system and destroy skin cancer.
Read MoreImprove access to skin cancer care and reduce the mortality and morbidity of the disease.
Reduce the waiting time for patients to receive efficient diagnosis and treatment.
Provide vital skin cancer care to communities with limited or no access to specialists.
Offer a high-quality referral option to local GPs managing patients outside their scope.
Relieve the public hospital system as most patients cannot afford specialist care.
Save lives by dramatically reducing the delay in diagnosis and treatment.
Are you aged 40 or over?
Over 90 percent of people diagnosed with melanoma are older than 40. However, skin cancer effects people of all ages. In fact, melanoma is the most common cancer in Australians aged 15 to 39. It is estimated that 2,500 Australians aged 25-49 will be diagnosed with the disease this year.
Have you had multiple sunburns that resulted in blistering or peeling?
If you have had multiple sunburns that blistered or peeled, your risk of developing skin cancer doubles. Men are at a greater risk of getting the disease, with one in 14 men and one in 24 women expected to develop melanoma sometime in their life.
Do you have pale skin, fair hair or blue eyes?
Due to lack of skin pigmentation, Caucasian populations are at high risk of getting skin cancer. If you have fair skin, blue eyes, or light or red hair, you are in the highest risk group. However, skin cancer effects people of all ethnicities, no matter their skin colour.
Do you have a large number of freckles or moles on your body?
You have an increased risk of melanoma if there are multiple freckles or moles on your skin. It is important to get your skin checked frequently by your doctor, since early detection offers the best survival rate. Five Australians die every day from melanoma.
Has anyone in your family had melanoma?
While most skin cancers result from sun exposure, some melanomas develop due to an inherited gene. Your risk may be higher if someone in your family has had melanoma.
Have you had a melanoma or another type of skin cancer before?
You are at higher risk of developing further skin cancers if you have had one previously. A history of skin cancer indicates that your skin might be prone to the disease, usually from excessive sun damage or due to a genetic disposition.
Do you have any skin spots that look different to the others?
A mole could be a melanoma if it is changing in size, shape or colour, or looks different to the others on your body. It is important to become familiar with your own skin and notice any sores that won’t heal, small red or white lumps, or new freckles that appear or change over weeks or months.
Do you work outdoors or frequently enjoy outdoor activities?
If you work outdoors, or are often outside, you are exposed to the sun’s UV light, which permanently damages your skin cells and causes irreversible harm that can lead to skin cancer. UV light is responsible for 90 percent of all skin cancers. In Australia, one in eight adults and one in five teenagers are sunburnt on an average summer weekend.
Do you bleed easily, even with very little abrasion?
A sign of skin cancer is easy or persisting bleeding, even from small abrasions on your body. For example, a small scratch on your skin might bleed when you towel off after a shower, or you might have lingering bleeding from your face after shaving.
Have you used a solarium bed to tan your skin?
Studies have shown that using a solarium before the age of 35 increases your risk of melanoma by 59 percent, because the UV radiation emitted from solariums is six times stronger than the midday sun.
However, it is important to regularly self-assess your skin and get thorough head-to-toe skin checks by a skilled physician at least once a year. Skin cancer can affect anyone of any skin type and can occur anywhere on the body, often showing no symptoms until an advanced stage.
Answering ‘yes’ to at least one question means you are part of the high-risk group and it is possible that you will develop skin cancer in your life time. It is recommended that you see your doctor for regular check-ups at least once a year. The key to successful skin cancer treatment is early detection.
A head-to-toe skin check with a skilled doctor is the only way to know your skin is healthy. For your peace of mind continue to get regular check-ups at least once a year. Ninety-nine percent of all skin cancers are curable if found early.
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