Many Australians will remember the original ‘Sid the Seagull’ from Cancer Council’s 1980’s campaign which launched the ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’ message.
| Since this message, many things have changed but our sun is still the same. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Australian Made is something to boast about until you realise our skin cancers account for around 80% of all newly diagnosed cancer. Yet, it is a nearly entirely preventable cancer as 95% of skin cancer cases are caused by unprotected exposure to UV radiation from the sun. National Skin Cancer Action Week is the perfect opportunity to reminder yourself and your loved ones about the importance of staying SunSmart. By using sun protection and preventing sunburn you are reducing your risk of skin cancer. There are five steps you can take to protect yourself and greatly reduce your risk of skin cancer. Slip on sun-protective clothing Slop on SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen at least 20 minutes before you go outdoors and reapply every two hours afterwards Slap on a broad-brim hat to protect your face, head, neck and ears. Seek shade Slide on sunglasses – make sure they meet Australian standards (and have a UV filter – you can add this to you plain specs too) A combination of these five measures, along with getting your skin checked regularly for any changes are key for prevention. National Skin Cancer Action Week is your reminder to get your skin checked! Reydon Street Medical Centre are here to help you with this. Book your next skin check online today through our website with either Dr. Brittany Wakefield or Dr. Paul Colbrook for your next skin check! |