Why you need a skin check when you arrive in Australia
Australia is famous for its sunny days, so you’re going to want to make the most of the beautiful weather, wherever you are in Australia! But if you’re heading out to enjoy the sun, there are some important precautions you need to know about.
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Most importantly, the majority of skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun – specifically, to ultraviolet (UV) light. This is why it’s important to protect yourself from the sun if you like spending time in it.
There are a few reasons why Australia has such a high rate of skin cancer:
The weather is super sunny, particularly in summer
Australia is close to the equator, which means UV levels are higher here than in some countries
The ozone layer above Australia is relatively thin, which also means UV levels are higher
The Aussie lifestyle involves a lot of being outdoors, whether hiking, swimming or playing sport – which means a lot of exposure to the sun!
In addition to wearing sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun, one of the best ways to safeguard yourself against skin cancer is by having regular skin checks with a trained healthcare professional. It’s great to be aware of how your skin looks and to notice any changes, but self-checks can sometimes miss important details. Regular check-ups give you the chance to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider and keep your skin health in check. Use nib's Find a Provider tool to find a GP who can perform a skin check.
Why you should perform a skin check
The sooner skin cancer is spotted, the easier it is to treat and the better your chance of avoiding negative effects such as surgery or death. Most skin cancers are spotted by people who notice changes in their skin or by loved ones who point out something unusual. This often leads to seeking a skin check where skin cancer is diagnosed and treated.
This is why regularly checking your skin is important. If you understand what’s normal for your skin, you’ll know if there are any changes and have the best chance of catching skin cancer and treating it as early as possible.
How to perform a skin check and what to look for
You can either perform a skin check yourself or go see a professional. It’s a good idea to check your skin every six months and book in for a skin check with a health professional annually.
To check your skin yourself, you need a well-lit room, a full-length mirror and a handheld mirror (or ask a loved one to help you). Follow these simple steps to check your skin:
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 parts of your body that don’t get sun exposure, such as between your fingers and toes, and the soles of your feet.
Getting a skin check from a doctor
Having regular skin checks performed by a doctor is one of the best ways to protect yourself from skin cancer. To do this, you can visit a GP, a dermatologist (specialist) or a skin cancer clinic. It’s always a good idea to do a self-check first. That way, you can show them anything you’re worried about or that has changed.
Make sure you don’t wear makeup or nail polish, fake tan or tie your hair up, so the doctor can see your skin clearly (even under your nails and on your scalp!). Also, wear something comfortable that is easy to take off and put back on.
The GP, dermatologist or clinician will check your skin using a dermatoscope, which is more powerful than the human eye.
Use nib's Find a Provider tool to find a GP who can perform a skin check.
Using nib’s online skin check tool
There’s a lot of information out there about skin cancer and protection, so it can be hard to know exactly what will work best for you.
nib’s free online skin check offers personalised recommendations from reliable resources you can trust. This includes tailored insights for your skin type, a skin cancer risk calculation, information about how to check your skin and personalised content based on your information.
To access this helpful information, you’ll need to answer a few confidential questions. The more details you provide, the more recommendations we can give you.
The tips throughout this article serve as broad information and should not replace any advice you have been given by your medical practitioner.