Do you know that at least 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime!!!
And Queensland has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Living in a sunny climate brings many benefits, but it also means that protecting your skin and checking it regularly is very important.
Skin cancer can affect people of all ages and skin types, however the good news is that most skin cancers are treatable when detected early.
Hence this is why regular skin checks are so important!
Why Skin Cancer Is So Common in Queensland
Queensland’s high rates of skin cancer are linked to:
- High levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation throughout the year
- Strong sun exposure, even on cooler or overcast days
- An outdoor lifestyle involving work, sport and recreation (for example, a brief work in the yard usually leads to a longer time than we think!)
Sun damage accumulates over time, meaning that childhood and early adult sun exposure can increase your risk later in life.
Types of Skin Cancer
The most common types of skin cancer include:
- Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): usually slow-growing but can cause local damage
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): may spread if not treated early
- Melanoma: the most serious form, which can spread rapidly if undetected
Early diagnosis significantly improves treatment outcomes for all types.
What to Look For
We encourage patients to be familiar with their own skin and report any changes. Please book an appointment if you notice:
- New moles or spots
- Changes in size, colour, shape, or texture of an existing mole
- Spots that bleed, itch, or do not heal
A helpful guide is the ABCDE rule:
- Asymmetry
- Border irregularity
- Colour variation
- Diameter greater than 6mm
- Evolving or changing over time – i.e. Getting lumpy
Sun Protection Is Essential All Year Round
In Queensland, UV levels are often high even outside summer months = “Stay under a tree or stay indoors above three” (i.e. UV index is 3 and above).
Where to find out about UV index?
Daily sun protection is recommended:
- Wear sun-protective clothing
- Apply broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
- Seek shade between 10am and 4pm
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or sweating
Full Skin Checks at Our Clinic
Our GPs offer comprehensive full skin checks, assessing your skin for skin cancer changes from head to toe. If a concerning lesion is identified, we can discuss the most appropriate next steps based on clinical findings.
Post Skin Check Treatments
Depending on your assessment, our clinic may provide or arrange the following services:
- Cryotherapy: treatment using liquid nitrogen to freeze and remove certain skin lesions, such as sun spots, actinic keratoses
- Skin lesion excision: surgical removal of suspicious or confirmed skin cancers or other lesions, performed under local anaesthetic
- Skin biopsies: sampling of skin lesions for laboratory analysis when diagnosis is uncertain
- Referrals: to dermatologists or other specialists if further management is required
Your doctor will discuss treatment options, benefits, and follow-up care to ensure the best possible outcome.
Early detection saves lives. Protect your largest organ today – SKIN!!!