References

 Cancer Council Australia, 2010, About Skin Cancer, retrieved on 07 January 2011 from http://www.cancer.org.au/cancersmartlifestyle/SunSmart/Aboutskincancer.htm

¹ACT Cancer, 2007, Skin Cancer in Australia, Retrieved 07 January 2011 from http://www.actcancer.org/sun-smart/skin-cancer.aspx

²ACT Cancer, 2007, Skin Cancer in Australia, Retrieved 07 January 2011 from http://www.actcancer.org/sun-smart/skin-cancer-prevention.aspx

Cancer Council SA, 2010-2011, Skin Cancer in Australia, retrieved on 10 January 2011 from http://www.cancersa.org.au/aspx/Skin_cancer_in_Australia.aspx

American Academy of Family Physicians, 1996-2011, Skin Cancer: Saving Your Skin from Sun Damage, retrieved on 10 January 2011 from http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/cancer/risk/159.html

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2010, Skin Cancer, retrieved on 11 January 2011 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin-cancer/DS00190/DSECTION=risk-factors

Skin cancer prevention and early detection

To minimise the risk of developing skin cancer simply adopt the following 6 sun protection measures

1.       Avoid the sun during 11 a.m. to 3p.m.

when the sun’s rays are the strongest (AAFP, 1996-2011).

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2.       Slip on some sun-protective clothing that

covers as much skin as possible (ACT Cancer, 2007)².

http://www.actcancer.org/sun-smart/skin-cancer-prevention.aspx

3.       Slop on SPF 30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen. Always use in combination with

the other sun protection measures (ACT Cancer, 2007)².

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4.       Slap on a hat that protects your face, head, neck, and ears (ACT Cancer, 2007)².

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5.       Slide on some sunglasses. A close fitting, wrap-around style

will offer best protection(ACT Cancer, 2007)².

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6.       Seek shade whenever possible (ACT Cancer, 2007)².

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The risk factors of skin cancer

Factors that might increase the risk of skin cancer include:

1. Fair skin: anyone of any skin colour can get skin cancer but people who have less pigment in skin provides less protection from damaging UV radiation especially, people with blond or red hair and light-colored eyes are more likely to develop skin cancer than people with darker skin (MFMER, 2010).

2. Excessive sun exposure: people are at risk of developing skin cancer when they are spending extensive time in the sun especially without put on any skin protection such as sunscreen or clothing (MFMER, 2010).

3. A family history of skin cancer: people might have an increased risk of skin cancer if their parents, siblings, or relatives have had skin cancer (MFMER, 2010).

4. A weakened immune system: people are at bigger risk to develop skin cancer if they have diluted immune system. This includes people who have AIDS or leukemia (MFMER, 2010).

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Skin cancer in Australia

Skin cancer happens when skin cells are damaged (Cancer Council Australia, 2010). Over-exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight causes permanent damage to the skin and raises the risk of skin cancer. How much sun skin receives in the first 10 years of life is very important in determining the risk of skin cancer later in life (Cancer Council SA, 2010-2011). Australia has one of the uppermost rates of skin cancer in the world. It is due to the climate, the closeness to the equator, and the social attitudes for outdoors (ACT Cancer, 2007)¹. Moreover, many Australians have pale skin that can be damaged rapidly by the excessive level of UV radiation. This damage rises each year, increasing the risk of skin cancer (Cancer Council SA, 2010-2011). More than 1850 Australians die from skin cancer every year. By the age of 70, 2 in 3 Australians will develop skin cancer (ACT Cancer, 2007)¹.

Skin cancer accounts for more than 80 percent of all cancer diagnosed in Australia and costs the health system around $300 million yearly. Over 440,000 Australians are diagnosed with skin cancer annually and more than 1,600 people die from skin cancer each year (Cancer Council SA, 2010-2011).