It’s vital that everyone in our community is regularly checking themselves for skin cancer, as well as having a professional check up.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Australia. Most are found on the face, head, back and upper limbs (as these areas are usually where the sun hits the most). However, they can appear on any part of the body. Skin cancer is caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. The Australian government recently banned harmful tanning booths such as solariums, which is an excellent step in lowering skin cancer rates in Australia.

People who are fair, have light-coloured or red hair, large numbers of moles, a family history of melanoma, previous history of blistering sunburn and those who spend a lot of time outdoors (as most Central Coast residents do) are the most likely to develop skin cancers.

After prevention (such as applying sunscreen, staying in the shade and wearing a hat), detection is the key to survival. If you notice a new mole has developed or changed shape, or you’re due for a regular checkup, please schedule an appointment with a doctor.