19 - 25 November 2017
This week is National Skin Cancer Action Week - a joint effort by Cancer Council Australia and the Australasian College of Dermatologists, and wholeheartedly supported by National Skin Cancer Centres.
Two in three Australians are diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70, so this week is an ideal time to remind Australians of the importance of sun protection and getting regular skin checks - because early detection is the key to successful treatment!
More than 2,000 people in Australia die from skin cancer every year. Yet, most skin cancers can be prevented by use of good sun protection habits.
The skin cancers we can't avoid don't have to be fatal - skin cancers that are caught early have a cure rate of 99 percent.
Cancer Council Australia estimates that we spend more than $1 billion every year treating skin cancer, but we could prevent majority of skin cancers by following the age-old motto of slip, slop, slap, seek and slide:slip on sun-protective clothing, slop on SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, slap on a broad-brimmed hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses.
A combination of these measures - along with getting to know your skin and seeking regular skin checks from a professional - are the key to reducing your skin cancer risk.