With an outdoor lifestyle with stunning beaches partnered with a sunny climate, it’s no wonder that Australia is one of the best summer destinations in the world. However, the advantage of too much sunlight comes also with a responsibility to protect our skin. With Australia holding one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, it’s no surprise that skin cancer checks are a hot topic, but what exactly is a skin cancer check, and why should it matter to you?
What is a Skin Cancer Check?
Skin cancer can appear in unexpected areas, not just at the obvious sunspots or moles. A skin cancer check is a professional examination of your skin by a doctor or dermatologist to identify any suspicious spots or moles in your body. The goal is to detect skin cancer early when it’s most treatable, and these checks can be done during a routine visit or even via setting an appointment at your nearest skin cancer clinic.
The process is non-invasive, as your doctor will examine your skin carefully using a handheld device called a dermatoscope to give your skin specialist a magnified view of your skin’s surface.
Why is a Skin Cancer Check Important?
Australia’s sun is no joke. Living in Australia means enjoying the outdoors, but it also means exposure to intense UV radiation. Long-term exposure to the sun, even with preventive clothing and sunscreen, can still increase the risk of you having cancer due to skin damage.
Early detection saves lives. The beauty of a regular check-up is that it gives you peace of mind knowing that everything can be treated if early skin cancer is detected. Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, has a high survival rate when caught early.
Preventative care fits the Aussie lifestyle. Aussies are known to be proactive because they prioritise the activities that they love and enjoy doing to keep them living their life to the fullest. So this preventive care just means that you love yourself enough to keep yourself in check.
How Often Should You Get Checked?
To be honest, there is no universal answer to this question, as we vary in skin type and other factors like family history and skin type and not just the level of sun exposure. Keep in mind that if you have had skin cancer before, you might need to have frequent check-ups. Getting a skin cancer check is a small step that could have a big impact, and taking an hour out of your year for a check-up could save your life.
So before you even find yourself needing to be checked, make sure to use protective clothing as early as possible, put on sunscreen, and make it a habit to remind yourself to take care of your skin. It’s never too early to start caring for your skin so you can live your best life safe under the sun. Book an appointment now and keep yourself in check always.