Skin Cancer Archives - Illawarra Medical Centre https://illawarramedical.com.au/category/skin-cancer/ Providing superior health care to families and local businesses in the Ballajura area for more than 25 years Thu, 24 Oct 2024 05:53:34 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 The importance of skin cancer checks https://illawarramedical.com.au/the-importance-of-skin-cancer-checks/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-importance-of-skin-cancer-checks Thu, 24 Oct 2024 05:37:14 +0000 https://illawarramedical.com.au/?p=8158 With National Skin Cancer Awareness Week coming up in November and the spring weather starting to warm up here in WA, now is a good time to consider getting your annual skin cancer check. Skin cancer in Australia – the stats Perth is one of the sunniest cities in the world, and with an annual […]

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With National Skin Cancer Awareness Week coming up in November and the spring weather starting to warm up here in WA, now is a good time to consider getting your annual skin cancer check.

Skin cancer in Australia – the stats

Perth is one of the sunniest cities in the world, and with an annual average of eight hours of skin cancer accounts for the largest number of cancers diagnosed in Australia each year!

According to the Cancer Council of Australia, two in three Australian’s will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70. The majority of skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun.

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, two to three times that of Canada, the US and the UK.

Every year in Australia:

  • Skin cancers account for around 80% of all newly diagnosed skin cancers
  • GPs have over 1 million patient consultations per year for skin cancer
  • More than 2,000 people die from skin cancer.
  • Approximately 200 melanomas and 34,000 other skin cancer types per year are caused by occupational exposures.

What causes skin cancer?

Cancer is a disease of the cells that occurs when abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way and damage or invade the surrounding tissues or spread to other parts of the body.

Skin cancer affects the body’s skin cells and is mainly caused by cumulative exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun.

There are three main types of skin cancer:

  1. Basal Cell Carcinoma – the most common but least dangerous form of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinomas generally develop on the head, neck and upper body. They appear as a pearly lump or a scaly, dry area that is pale or pink in colour. Basal Cell Carcinomas tend to grow slowly and don’t usually spread to other parts of the body.
  2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma – usually appear on areas of the skin that are most often exposed to the sun, including the head, neck, hands, forearms and lower legs. Squamous Cell Carcinomas often appear as a thickened, red, scaly lump and may look like a sore that hasn’t healed. They can grow quickly over several weeks or months and spread to other parts of the body.
  3. Melanoma – while it is the least common type of skin cancer, it is also the most serious. Melanomas are different to normal, healthy freckles and moles. They tend to have an irregular edge or surface and can be blotchy and black, brown, blue, red, white or light grey. Melanomas can grow quickly and become life threatening, spreading to other parts of the body.

While sun exposure is the main cause of skin cancer, other factors that can increase your risk of developing the disease include:

  • The total number of moles you have.
  • The number of atypical (dysplastic) naevi (moles) you have.
  • Your skin, hair and eye colour. Those with fair skin, blue or green eyes and/or fair or red hair at greater risk.
  • A depressed immune system.
  • A family history of skin cancer.

The good news is that over 95% of skin cancers can be treated if found early. Getting an annual skin check is one of the best ways to detect skin cancer early.

What is a skin check?

Skin cancer checks involve a simple examination that is completely painless and normally takes no longer than 30 minutes.

When undergoing a skin check, it’s important to remove any makeup, artificial tanner, or nail polish before your appointment, so that your doctor has a clear, unobstructed view of your skin.

You should also do a quick self-check to make note of any particular areas of concern and advise your doctor of these during your appointment. That includes any suspicious spots under your underwear, genital areas are not routinely examined and will only be checked by the doctor if you request them to do so.

During the skin check, you will be required to undress down to your underwear, so that the doctor can do a full body examination. This will include a check of your head, face, neck, torso, legs, feet, toes, arms, hands and fingers, for any suspicious skin lesions or moles.

Your doctor will examine your skin using a dermatoscope – a special skin microscope that allows them to see beneath the skin. If any suspicious spot is identified, your doctor will make a note of it and may take a photograph to be recorded and analysed.

They may also take a biopsy – a simple and quick procedure where part or all of the suspect spot is removed and sent to a laboratory for testing – or refer you to a specialist for further examination and treatment.

Who should get a skin cancer check?

As skin cancer can affect anyone, it is recommended those aged 15 years or more who have had exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation should get regular skin checks.

Some people are at greater risk of developing skin cancer, including those who:

  • have had skin cancer before, or have someone in their family who has had skin cancer
  • have previously had bad sunburn
  • have fair skin, light eyes, or red or fair hair
  • have many moles on your skin
  • spend a lot of time outdoors without sun protection or work outdoors
  • have used solariums or sun lamps
  • have a compromised immune system or are taking immunosuppression medicines

While the risk of being diagnosed with skin cancer during childhood is very low, a skin cancer check may be recommended for young children if:

  • there is a family history of skin cancer, especially melanoma. Having a family history of skin cancer increases your own risk of developing the disease, no matter how old you are.
  • they have fair skin and a large number of moles. Having more than 100 moles puts children at higher-than-average risk for skin cancer.

How often should I get a skin cancer check?

In addition to regular self-checks, you should also see a doctor for a full-body skin examination at least once a year.

If you are at high-risk of skin cancer, your doctor may request that you have more frequent checks, depending on your risk factors.

How can I prevent skin cancer?

Knowing your own skin and getting regular skin checks are the best ways to prevent skin cancer.

Make sure you see your doctor as soon as possible if you notice anything different or unusual, such as:

  • A spot that is different from other spots on the skin.
  • A spot, mole or freckle that has changed in size, shape or colour.
  • A sore that doesn’t heal.
  • A spot that itches or bleeds.
  • A spot that is painful or swollen.

In the case of melanomas, follow the ABCDE rule and look closely for:

  • Asymmetry – where, if divided down the middle, the 2 halves of the spot are not a mirror image.
  • Border – spots with uneven borders and irregular edges.
  • Colour – spots with an unusual or uneven colour.
  • Diameter – spots that are wider than 6mm.
  • Evolving – where a spot or lesion has changed in size, shape, colour or texture over time.

Other simple measures you can take to prevent skin cancer include:

  1. Wearing protective clothing in the sun.
  2. Applying water-resistant SPF30 or higher sunscreen, at least 20 minutes before going outside and reapplying every two hours.
  3. Wearing a broad-brimmed, bucket, or legionnaire-style hat.
  4. Reducing outdoor time, particularly during the hottest part of the day, and staying in the shade when outdoors.
  5. Wearing sunglasses that comply with Australian and New Zealand standards.

Get your skin checked at IMC

Illawarra Medical Centre offers a comprehensive range of dermatology services, including skin cancer checks, mole screening and general screenings, as well as skin cancer surgery and management, minor surgery and dermatological surgery.

Our very own Dr Dhruva Ramachandra runs regular skin cancer and dermatology checks at our practice on Tuesday mornings.

*Please note that any skin related matters discussed during a standard consult with Dr Ramachandran will incur an additional private fee, including those for children under 16 years old.

To make an appointment for one of our Tuesday skin clinics with Dr Ramachandran, contact our Reception on (08) 9208 6400.

To make a booking with any of our GPs to discuss any health concerns you may have, book online or contact us on (08) 9208 6400.

For more information on this topic, visit:

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]]> Staying healthy over the holidays https://illawarramedical.com.au/staying-healthy-over-the-holidays/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=staying-healthy-over-the-holidays Tue, 20 Dec 2022 07:23:14 +0000 https://illawarramedical.com.au/?p=6458 As we head towards Christmas and New Year and gatherings with friends and family, it’s important to continue to look after your health to ensure everyone can enjoy a happy, healthy festive season. In this month’s blog, we give some tips on how you can best look after your health over the holidays. Limit Alcohol […]

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As we head towards Christmas and New Year and gatherings with friends and family, it’s important to continue to look after your health to ensure everyone can enjoy a happy, healthy festive season. In this month’s blog, we give some tips on how you can best look after your health over the holidays.

Limit Alcohol

Alcohol can be part of a healthy lifestyle, when used in moderation and in conjunction with a good diet and regular exercise. However, if you consume too much alcohol, it can have a serious impact on your physical health in both the short-term and long-term.

Drinking large amounts of alcohol at any one time can cause confusion, blurred vision, clumsiness, memory loss, nausea and vomiting, loss of consciousness, and even coma or death.

Not only that, but drinking too much alcohol in the short-term can also lead to:

  • Accidental injury to yourself and/or others
  • Being in a road accident
  • Deliberately harming yourself or others
  • Unprotected or unwanted sex
  • Alcohol poisoning
  • Hangovers

During the festive season, try to keep track of how much you’re drinking and make sure you drink water between each alcoholic beverage to help combat dehydration and reduce the amount of alcohol you may consume. If you do go out and plan to drink, make sure you plan not to drive.

Avoid Overindulging

Christmas time is filled with an abundance of delicious goodies, from traditional roast meats to chocolate treats, leftovers and never-ending snacks. It can be tempting to want to eat everything on offer but if you want to be kind to your health, try practicing portion control and be selective in what you do treat yourself to.

Mindful eating can also help prevent you eating more than you normally would. Try to be conscious of what you are eating and avoid non-stop grazing throughout the day, to help avoid overeating

We know that what you eat can affect your overall health and wellbeing, so try and incorporate plenty of nutrient-rich whole foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, into your festive diet, which we know are good for your whole body.

Keep Stress at Bay

The end of the year and the lead up to Christmas can be a stressful time for many – with increased demands on our time and our wallets.

Stress triggers numerous physiological responses within the body and can impact our nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, muscular and immune systems.

Try to help keep the stress at bay over Christmas, and reduce its impact on your health, by:

  • Planning ways to reduce spending at this time of year and finding low-cost ways to have fun. Rather than buying gifts for everyone in the family, why not suggest a Secret Santa. And instead of going out for cocktails with friends, suggest a picnic in the park instead, where everyone can bring a plate.
  • Picking and choosing which social events you do want to attend and giving yourself some downtime in between to reset and recoup. Remember that you don’t have to say yes to every invitation!
  • Staying healthy by eating well, exercising and getting enough sleep.

Exercise

While it’s easy to get out of our regular routine during the holidays, try to keep up with some form of exercise. Regular exercise is an essential part of maintaining good whole-body health and ensures your body has the necessary nutrients available to keep you feeling your healthy best.

In addition, exercise can help to reduce stress by decreasing the body’s elevated hormonal and immune responses to stress.

Get up-to-date with vaccinations

While you might be taking a break over the holidays, viruses and illnesses certainly won’t be!

There are plenty of viruses currently doing the rounds, including COVID-19, meningococcal and measles. Vaccination remains the best way to keep yourself, your family and the wider community protected, so make sure you are up-to-date with all your recommended vaccinations.

Vaccination is also an important consideration for those heading overseas during the holidays, to help protect you against any diseases you may be exposed to on your travels. It’s best to see your doctor at least 6 to 8 weeks before you leave. This will allow you enough time to get any vaccinations that require more than one dose and for the vaccines to start working before you leave.

Your doctor can also provide you with a comprehensive consultation on your health needs while travelling, based on your individual circumstances. As different countries have different laws regarding medicines that can be taken in and out, your GP will be able to advise you on how to pack and prepare any medications you need to take with you.

The holidays are also a great time to get the kids up-to-date with their scheduled immunisations before heading back to school in the new year. All schools in Western Australia have immunisation requirements for enrolment, so make sure you check with your school as to what their immunisation requirements are before the start of the new school year.

Keep your cool in the heat

The festive season often coincides with the start of the summer heat. It’s important to look after yourself and others in hot weather by:

  • Drinking plenty of fluids – especially water – throughout the day.
  • Avoiding alcohol and caffeine, as these can increase dehydration.
  • Staying indoors with a fan or air-conditioner.
  • Limiting the time spent outdoors. If you do go out, try to go early morning or late evening, stay in the shade and wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for protection.
  • Wearing light coloured, loose fitted clothing.
  • Cooling your house by keeping curtains, blinds and windows closed during the day.
  • Keeping food safe by properly storing and defrosting it.
  • Checking on elderly friends, neighbours and relatives to make sure they are slot gacor ok and are keeping hydrated and cool.
  • If you have pets, do not leave them alone in a car and ensure they have water and plenty of shade available when they are outside.

Book in for your annual skin check

The hot weather is also a good reminder about the importance of getting regular skin cancer checks. Getting a regular skin check is one of the best ways to detect skin cancer early.

Illawarra Medical Centre offers a comprehensive range of dermatology services, including skin cancer checks, mole screening and general dermatology screenings.

If you have any health conditions that mean you are at greater risk of heat-related illness or concerns about your health in general, book in with one of our GPs to discuss your concerns.

Appointments can be made online or by contacting us directly on (08) 9208 6400.

For more information on this topic, visit:

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]]> The importance of skin cancer checks https://illawarramedical.com.au/skin-cancer-checks/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=skin-cancer-checks Tue, 17 Nov 2020 08:04:42 +0000 https://illawarramedical.com.au/?p=3938 This week is National Skin Cancer Awareness Week, which provides a timely reminder for us all to protect our skin and get it checked as we head towards summer. Perth is one of the sunniest cities in the world, with an annual average of eight hours of sunshine every day. It’s no wonder then, that […]

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This week is National Skin Cancer Awareness Week, which provides a timely reminder for us all to protect our skin and get it checked as we head towards summer.

Perth is one of the sunniest cities in the world, with an annual average of eight hours of sunshine every day. It’s no wonder then, that skin cancer accounts for the largest number of cancers diagnosed in Australia each year.

Skin cancer in Australia – the stats
According to the Cancer Council of Australia, two in three Australian’s will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70, with the majority of skin cancers caused by exposure to the sun.

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, two to three times that of Canada, the US and the UK.

Every year in Australia:

  • Skin cancers account for around 80% of all newly diagnosed skin cancers
  • GPs have over 1 million patient consultations per year for skin cancer
  • More than 2,000 people die from skin cancer

Approximately 200 melanomas and 34,000 other skin cancer types per year are caused by occupational exposures.

What causes skin cancer?

Cancer is a disease of the cells that occurs when abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way and damage or invade the surrounding tissues or spread to other parts of the body.

Skin cancer affects the body’s skin cells and is mainly caused by cumulative exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun.

There are three main types of skin cancer:

  1. Basal Cell Carcinoma – the most common but least dangerous form of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinomas generally develop on the head, neck and upper body and appear as a pearly lump or a scaly, dry area that is pale or pink in colour. They tend to grow slowly and don’t usually spread to other parts of the body.

  2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma – usually appear on areas of the skin that are most often exposed to the sun, including the head, neck, hands, forearms and lower legs. Squamous cell carcinomas often appear as a thickened, red, scaly lump and may look like a sore that hasn’t healed. They can grow quickly over several weeks or months and spread to other parts of the body.

  3. Melanoma – while it is the least common type of skin cancer, it is also the most serious. Melanomas are different to normal, healthy freckles and moles in that they tend to have an irregular edge or surface and can be blotchy and black, brown, blue, red, white or light grey. Melanomas can grow quickly and become life threatening, spreading to other parts of the body.

While sun exposure is the main cause of skin cancer, there are other factors that can increase someone’s risk of developing the disease. These include:

  • The total number of moles you have.
  • The number of atypical (dysplastic) naevi (moles) you have.
  • Your skin, hair and eye colour, with those with fair skin, blue or green eyes and/or fair or red hair at greater risk.
  • A depressed immune system.
  • A family history of skin cancer.

Preventing skin cancer

The good news is that over 95% of skin cancers can be treated if found early. It is therefore important that you get to know your skin and see your doctor as soon as possible if you notice anything different or unusual.

The key things to look for are:

  • A spot that is different from other spots on the skin.
  • A spot, mole or freckle that has changed in size, shape or colour.
  • A sore that doesn’t heal.
  • A spot that itches or bleeds.
  • A spot that is painful or swollen.

In the case of melanomas, follow the ABCDE rule and look closely for:

  • Asymmetry – where, if divided down the middle, the 2 halves of the spot are not a mirror image.
  • Border – spots with uneven borders and irregular edges.
  • Colour – spots with an unusual or uneven colour.
  • Diameter – spots that are wider than 6mm.
  • Evolving – where a spot or lesion has changed in size, shape, colour or texture over time.

Other simple measures you can take to prevent skin cancer include:

  1. Wearing protective clothing in the sun.
  2. Applying water-resistant SPF30 or higher sunscreen, at least 20 minute before going outside and reapplying every two hours.
  3. Wearing a broad-brimmed, bucket, or legionnaire-style hat.
  4. Reducing outdoor time, particularly during the hottest part of the day, and staying in the shade when outdoors.
  5. Wearing sunglasses that comply with Australian and New Zealand standards.

Get your skin checked at IMC

Getting a regular skin check is one of the best ways to detect skin cancer early. Skin cancer is diagnosed by a physical examination and biopsy on suspected skin cancers. A biopsy is a simple and quick procedure where part or all of the suspect spot is removed and sent to a laboratory for testing.

Illawarra Medical Centre offers a comprehensive range of dermatology services, including skin cancer checks, mole screening and general dermatology screenings.

Our specialist GP, Dr Dhruva Ramachandra, runs regular skin cancer and dermatology checks at our practice on Tuesday mornings.

We have also recently introduced new dermatology software at our practice to improve the imaging, documentation and analysis of skin conditions, including skin cancer. This new patient-centric system allows for a more streamlined and co-ordinated health care approach for our dermatology patients.

To make a booking with any of our GPs to discuss any skin concerns you may have, visit our Online Bookings page or contact us on (08) 9208 6400.

To make an appointment for one of our Tuesday skin clinics, contact our Reception on (08) 9208 6400.

For more information on this topic, visit:

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