Why is early detection of skin cancer so important?

“For someone who gets their skin checked at a regular interval, your chances of running into a life-threatening melanoma are really slim.” In this short video, Dr Terry Harvey talks about why early detection of skin cancer (through regular skin checks) is so important.

Watch the full video now:

Dr Harvey explains that he generally only finds big, thick melanomas in people who haven't been for a skin check in the past few years or more. Lesions on people who come for regular skin cancer checks are found much earlier before they grow, spread and become potentially life-threatening.

He says that often the hardest part about diagnosing someone's melanoma is getting them into the room so he can find it. Since 99 per cent of skin cancers are curable if detected early, regular skin checks for early detection are a must!

Did you know that more Australians died from melanoma than road accidents in 2021?

A new report from Melanoma Institute Australia found that melanoma rates are rising, and estimated that without critical action, by 2030 a further 14,000 Australians will die from melanoma and 205,000 will be diagnosed with the disease. To read the recent State of the Nation report, click here.

Watch more from Dr Terry Harvey.