FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to look for when I check my skin?
Consider the following when you are checking your skin:
- Any spot, mole or freckle that has changed in shape, size or colour.
- A new spot that is different from other spots around it.
- Any small, dome-shaped lump (may resemble a blood blister) that wasn't there before.
- A sore that doesn't heal and/or ulcerates, or one that heals and breaks down again.
- Any skin spot that you are worried about.
How do I check my skin?
It's easy to do, and should only take 15 minutes. Just follow these simple steps:
- Check the whole body - from head to toe, front back and sides.
- Check the head and neck - don't forget your scalp, ears, face and lips.
- Check the torso, front, back and sides - use a mirror, or ask your partner to look at the parts you can't see.
- Check your arms and hands, including the nail beds.
- Check your buttocks and legs - don't forget the soles of your feet, between the toes and the nail beds.
How often should I get my moles checked?
The risk of developing skin cancer increases with age. However, skin cancer is also a common cancer in younger people. So everyone should get to know their own skin and consult their doctor immediately at the first sign of any change.
As a general rule, the more regularly you have your skin checked, the greater the chance of detecting a skin cancer before it becomes life threatening. You should check your own skin every three months (or with each new season) to see if any of your spots have changed or if you suddenly have a new spot.
If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer in the past, you should have your skin checked by a professional as recommended by your doctor or dermatologist.
Sun spots (solar keratoses) are just a sign of old age, aren't they?
Sun spots (or solar keratoses) are red, flattish, scaly areas, which may sting if scratched. They are not a skin cancer but they can be a pre-curser for squamous cell carcinoma and a risk factor for basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. They appear on sun exposed skin usually in people aged 40 and over, and are a sign that the body has had a lot of exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR).
I have a mole/spot I'm worried about, what should I do?
If there is anything on your skin that you are concerned about, make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will examine the spot and if necessary will provide you with a referral to see a specialist.
Why does unprotected exposure in childhood and adolescence increase the risk of skin cancer?
Studies looking at the effect of past outdoor sun exposure, in particular sunburn, link childhood exposure to significant increased risk of getting skin cancer later in life.
It's not clear if the increased risk of cancer is linked to:
- 1. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) producing a specific effect in children's cells.
- 2. Exposure to UVR over a short period being more damaging than the same amount of exposure over a lifetime.
Most skin damage is cumulative - it happens over time. This has led to the recommendation that babies and children always be protected from excessive sun exposure. Proper sun protection in babies and children will help reduce the risk of skin cancer in the future.
Won't my child be deficient in Vitamin D if he/she doesn't go out into the sun?
Due to Australia's proximity to the equator, and the hole in the ozone layer, most parts of Australia have very high levels of UVR. It is possible to have enough exposure before 10am or after 3pm to enable adequate vitamin D levels all year round. It is important to remember that unprotected sun exposure in Australia carries a significant risk of skin and eye damage and skin cancer. The small amount of sunlight received on the face, hands, arms or legs during normal daily activities is all that is required to absorb appropriate levels of UVR. If you are concerned that your child has inadequate levels of vitamin D, talk to your doctor.
Why should I bother with sun protection at my age?
You can't undo the damage from sun exposure that occurred at a younger age, but you can reduce further damage.
Most skin cancers are related to lifetime exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). While skin cancer usually appears in older adults, the damage begins at an early age. Scientific evidence suggests that it is the combination of exposure to UVR in childhood, (especially sunburn), and exposure later in life, that activates sun damaged cells to turn cancerous.
Why do I keep getting skin cancers despite careful sun protection?
Unfortunately, your skin has probably been considerably damaged already, even if it was 20 or 30 years ago. You can reduce further damage but you can't undo what happened in the past.
People who have had one basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma have a 50% chance of developing more within five years of their initial diagnosis. That's why it is very important you remain vigilant, and check your skin regularly, as recurrent tumours can be more aggressive than the initial lesions.
I have heard that sunscreen is not effective in preventing skin cancer. Is this true?
This is not true. Used correctly, sunscreen is very effective at preventing ultraviolet (UV) rays from reaching the skin.
However, no sunscreen provides 100% protection against ultraviolet radiation (UVR), and it should always be used in conjunction with other sun protection measures.
For very high protection, sunscreen must have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30+. Sunscreen with SPF 30+ filters out 96.7% of UVR if the sunscreen has been applied properly and has not been washed off in the water or by perspiration. Nevertheless, over 3% of UVR is still reaching the skin and over time this will contribute to burning and skin damage. By using sunscreen to extend your time in the sun, you increase your risk of skin cancer.
What is a safe age to use sunscreen on children?
There is no evidence to suggest that using sunscreen has any harmful effects on children's health.
Always use sunscreen according to the manufacturer's instructions and in conjunction with other sun protection measures.
Young children and babies should be protected by clothing, hats and shade wherever possible. Sunscreen should then be applied on exposed areas of the skin such as the feet and forearms. If your child's skin reacts to your sunscreen, try another brand or speak to your doctor. The Cancer Council Toddler Formula is especially formulated for sensitive skins. Sunscreen containing DEET should be used with care on babies and young children.
How regularly does sunscreen have to be applied and how much?
Sunscreen should be applied to clean, dry skin 20 minutes before going outside. It is recommended that an average sized adult use one teaspoon of product on each arm and leg, one teaspoon on the back and one teaspoon on the torso. One teaspoon should be applied to the face and neck including the ears and the back of the neck. The same amount should be reapplied every two hours, more often if swimming or exercising.
Sunscreen should be labelled SPF 30+, water-resistant and broad spectrum for very high protection. Broad spectrum means that the sunscreen filters out much of the ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
No sunscreen provides 100% protection and it should always be used in conjunction with other sun protection methods, such as wearing a hat and appropriate protective clothing, scheduling indoor activities during the peak UVR times and encouraging children to play in the shade where possible.
Are no name brands as effective as well known brands of sunscreen?
All chemicals used in sunscreen available in Australia have been tested and approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration as being both safe and effective.
Sunscreen does not need to be expensive to be high quality. Regardless of which brand of sunscreen is used, sunscreen should never be the first or only line of defence against exposure to UVR. Always use in combination with other sun protection measures such as wearing appropriate clothing, seeking shade and avoiding peak UVR times.
I used sunscreen but still got burnt! Doesn't this mean that sunscreen doesn't work?
No. There are a number of reasons you may have got sunburnt. Consider the following:
What is the expiry date of your sunscreen? Is it still valid?
Did you apply enough sunscreen to adequately cover and protect your body?
Did you put your sunscreen on 20 minutes before going outside, and then reapply every two hours?
Did you use a water-resistant sunscreen while you were swimming?
Did you avoid being outdoors between 10am and 3pm?
Were you wearing sun-smart clothing such as a long-sleeved top, wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, in conjunction with your sunscreen?
Did you actively try to stay in a shaded spot while you were outside?
Did you spend an extended amount of time in the sun?
If you answered no to one or more of the above questions, then you put yourself at greater risk of getting sunburnt.
What is the UV-Index?
The UV-Index is an internationally standardised tool for predicting UV intensity levels. The Index is used for forecasting the maximum daily UVR levels.
The UV-Index is reported in some daily newspapers and television weather reports as a visual graphic with different categories to describe the UV intensity.
What's good shade?
Staying in the shade is one of the most effective ways of reducing your exposure to the sun. You should stay in shaded areas as the shadow moves with the sun. Remember, you can still get sunburnt even if you are in the shade! This is due to reflected UVR that bounces off surfaces like concrete, water, sand and snow.
The above questions and answers have been provided by The Cancer Council and the Australian Bureau of Meterology.