Many people in Australia worry about skin cancer with good reason. We have the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, with 2 out of every 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer within their lifetime.
Anyone with a risk factor for skin cancer should consider getting a whole body skin examination. Skin cancers can appear even on areas of the body that are not exposed to the sun.
Our patients are people from all walks of life. Here are some of the risk factors that increase the risk of having a skin cancer:
- A family member has had a skin cancer treated
- You have been sunburnt in the past, particularly as a child
- You have used a solarium in the past, particularly under the age of 30
- You have a large number of moles on your body
- You work outdoors or have done so in the past
- You regularly pursue an outdoor sport such as cricket, golf, surfing, running, or swimming
- You have had a skin cancer before
- You have a very fair skin which burns easily