In very simple terms, skin cancer occurs in fair-skinned people who have exposed their skin to too much sun.
Skin Cancer in Australia
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world . This is due largely to the climate, the fact that many Australians have fair skin that isn’t suited to such harsh conditions and the typical Australian lifestyle with its love for the outdoors. At least two of every three Australians will develop skin cancer by the time they reach the age of 70 – and every year nearly two thousand Australians die from skin cancer .
The principal types of skin cancer are:
- Basal Cell Carcinoma (usually referred to as BCC). These lesions usually appear on the face and neck, and are the commonest and least dangerous types of skin cancer.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma (commonly called SCC). These cancers are a bit more serious than the BCCs, and appear on the face, neck, forearms and hands. They can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated for long
- Melanoma. These can appear anywhere on the body, usually commencing in what looks like an innocuous mole. They are rare but can be dangerous.
Causes of Skin Cancer
The commonest cause of skin cancer is exposure of the skin over a long period of time to the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. Exposure to certain chemicals – for example polycyclic hydrocarbons – can also cause skin cancer.
Who is Susceptible to Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is most common in fair-skinned people who live in sunny climates over long periods of their lives, especially people of Anglo-Celtic and Northern European ancestry. Those with fair skin who sunburn easily are at the highest risk.
To protect oneself from skin cancer, the following measures can help
- Keep your skin as little exposed to the sun as possible – wear a broad-brimmed hat, shirts or dresses with sleeves, and use sunscreen of SPF 15+ on exposed skin
- Try to avoid direct sunlight when the sun is at its strongest (between 10am and 2pm)
- Protect children from sunburn as they have more sensitive skins than adults do
What to Do if you Suspect Skin Cancer
Go and see your doctor without delay if you find that you have developed a funny looking spot on your skin. The doctor can then decide whether this is suspicious enough to warrant removal.
Remember, the earlier skin cancer is diagnosed and removed, the better the outlook – and for most skin cancers, the outlook is excellent.
More Information:
Sanjiva Wijesinha - Dr. Sanjiva Wijesinha, Associate Professor at Monash University medical school, writes on health, travel and medical topics.
