How early detection of skin cancer could save your life

Did you know that Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world? Around two in three Aussies get diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. While those numbers seem pretty high, the good news is that you have the power to reduce your risk and spot the warning signs.  

Understanding your risk of skin cancer and getting familiar with your skin can help with the early detection and prevention of skin cancer.

What is skin cancer?

We need a small amount of ultraviolet light (UV) for healthy bones and muscles. But too much exposure can damage your skin’s cells, which might lead to skin cancer. The three main types of skin cancer are melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Why does early detection matter?

Around 2,000 people die from skin cancer every year in Australia. But early detection can reduce those odds, which makes getting your skin checked so important.

Deeper and thicker melanomas that are diagnosed in their later stages are likely to be difficult to treat. But thinner melanomas caught early are more responsive to treatment. The five-year survival rate in Australia for melanomas thicker than 4 mm is about 54%, but for ones that are 1 mm or less, the survival rate jumps to almost 100%. This highlights how vital early detection is for reducing your skin cancer risk.

Dr Hamish Black, nib group medical advisor, explains,   

“The best thing you can do to reduce your chance of skin cancer is to reduce your risk by managing chronic illnesses, stopping smoking and following the SunSmart mantra. If you’ve developed a lesion that you’re concerned about, see your GP or skin specialist. Become familiar with your skin and if you find a skin lesion has changed, then make an appointment with your GP or skin specialist. The main thing that doctors want to prevent is melanoma, as this can potentially spread through the body before the skin lesion is found, so early detection is important.”

What are the early signs of skin cancer?

There are a variety of early warning signs of skin cancer. But to make identifying unusual moles at home a bit easier, remember the ABCDEs:

• A is for asymmetrical. A mole or freckle that has one half that is different from the other half

• B is for border. A mole that has edges that are irregular, uneven or blurred

• C stands for colour. A mole that has multiple colours, shades of one colour or is different to other moles in colour

• D is for diameter. A mole that is growing larger

• E is for evolving. Be vigilant of moles that change size, shape, height or colour, or start to itch or bleed.

“The main thing with self-skin checks is to look at your pigmented lesions regularly. Remember, we are predominantly trying to prevent melanoma. If one of your moles has changed or is new, get it checked out. Get your partner to check areas you can’t see, like your back and buttocks. If you have large moles, you may want to take photos of them on an annual basis.” says Hamish.  

How to check for skin cancer at home

You can monitor for most skin cancers and assess your risk by regularly checking your own skin or having a family member help and by noticing any changes. When you know what’s normal for you, you’re better able to pick up any changes that might be skin cancer.

So, how do you get more familiar with your skin? By performing regular self-assessments. And it’s easier than you might think:

• Step 1: Make sure you’re in a room with good light and a full-length mirror

• Step 2: Undress completely and use the mirror to look at your whole body. That means your face and scalp, neck and shoulders and the front and back of your arms (including your armpits), hands and legs. Don’t forget the body parts that don’t get sun exposure too

• Step 3: Look for any spots or moles that look and feel different from other spots on your skin, or have changed in size, shape, colour or texture. Also look out for any sores that don’t heal within a few weeks, or are itchy or bleeds.

To make sure you don’t miss any crucial spots, ask a partner, friend or family member to check hard-to-see areas or use a handheld mirror.

What happens at a skin check?

While it’s important to know your skin and check it regularly, only a qualified doctor can provide an official diagnosis. If you find a spot of concern, your first port of call should be your GP. They can assess your skin and advise what (if any) treatment you might need.  

Even though GPs can identify skin cancers and perform minor procedures, they might refer you to a dermatologist. A dermatologist is a skin specialist who has advanced training in skin cancer identification and treatment.

During a skin check, you’ll be asked to remove your clothing and put on a medical gown. Your doctor will use a bright light and a magnifier called a dermatoscope to examine your skin thoroughly.

Unless your doctor finds something suspicious, the examination should take around 15 to 30 minutes. If your doctor finds something concerning, they’ll take a photo of the lesion and perform a skin biopsy.

How often should you get a skin check?

“The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners recommends three-monthly self-checks and six-monthly clinical reviews for high-risk patients, such as those with previous melanoma. For everyone else, it makes sense to keep an eye on your skin, schedule in regular skin checks with your GP and if there's anything you're concerned about, see your GP or skin specialist immediately,” says Hamish.

Who’s more at risk of skin cancer?

People assigned male at birth are at higher risk of skin cancer than those assigned female at birth. Skin cancer hits males harder because:

• UV rays are more likely to damage male skin as they’re less likely to use sun protection regularly.

• Males are less likely than females to know the risk factors and prevention of skin cancer and less likely to conduct skin self-exams.

Ready to save your own life?

When detected early, skin cancers are usually treatable. By knowing your risk and your skin with regular self-skin assessments, you might just save your own life.

Keen to find out your risk of skin cancer? Take the personalised nib skin self-assessment. Keep in mind, this assessment provides general guidance and it’s important to remember that all skin types can develop skin cancer. Always book in a skin check with your GP or specialist if you spot something suspicious or you want a thorough evaluation.

The tips throughout this article serve as broad information and should not replace any advice you have been given by your medical practitioner.