Every person aged 16 or more should consider a regular skin check once a year. Some patients need to have them more often (i.e., recent history of melanoma, other skin diseases). Any freckle, mole or lump that is new or changing in size, shape or colour warrants a doctor’s check. Intermittent sunburn is an important factor in the development of melanoma, particularly during childhood. However, melanoma may occur on non sun-exposed skin. People who burn easily in the sun, and either never or rarely tan, are at a much higher risk than people with darker skin who tan easily. Additional risk factors include a freckling tendency, having more than 50 moles on the body, red or blond hair and blue eyes. Melanoma is very rare in people with black skin. Patients with a higher income and higher education are at an increased risk of developing melanoma. It is not clear why this is the case. Melanoma before puberty is rare but does occasionally occur.

Skin Cancer and premature skin ageing can be prevented by reducing your exposure to UV radiation. This can be achieved by reducing time in the sun, (especially between 10am and 3pm), finding some shade, wearing sun protective clothing and a broad brimmed hat, regular application of a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF30+ sunscreen and protection of your eyes with close fitting sunglasses. Using solarium is also a risk factor of skin cancer. For more information visit website – www.qldcancer.com.au or call the Cancer Helpline toll free on 13 11 20.

At the Majellan Medical Centre partial skin checks could be done as a part of your visit to the Doctors (especially during so-called full checks), but ideally patients should book specifically for the skin cancer check. The examination could be performed at any time. Our doctors happy to treat other diseases of the skin as well.