SunSmart

At the snow, UV radiation is more intense as it increases at higher altitudes and reflects off the surface of the snow.

🏂 Wear goggles or wrap-around sunglasses with UV protection and apply SPF50+ sunscreen to any exposed skin 20 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours.

Tip: Applying a SPF50+ lip balm will help protect your lips from both the UV and the wind.

Learn more about how UV reflects: https://bit.ly/3wYpx6m

After her first skin check at her local GP, Marilyn was shocked by how many different spots were detected.

Now 80, Marilyn from Castlemaine has had 12 basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) removed over a two-year period.

“I think BCCs are underestimated and people should be more aware of them. It doesn’t have to be melanoma to be dangerous.”

BCC is the most common type of skin cancer and if left untreated, some can grow deeper into the skin, invade nerves and damage nearby tissue, making treatment more difficult.

Learn more about skin cancer: https://bit.ly/3x19vbO

The Australasian College of Dermatologists suggests checking your skin from head to toe every three months or with the change of each season ❄️

When the season changes, use it as your reminder to check your skin. If you spot anything unusual or changing, see your GP.

How to do a skin check: https://bit.ly/3sEgMXs

New data from the Victorian Population Health Survey shows fewer than one in two Victorians (44%) checked their own skin in the past 12 months.

Make a habit of checking your skin and if you spot anything unusual or changing, see your GP as soon as possible. The sooner skin cancer is found, the easier it is to treat.

How to check your skin: https://bit.ly/3URfidh

To support Victorians to detect skin cancer sooner to save lives, SunSmart has provided training and equipment to more than 400 GPs through its Dermoscopy for Victorian General Practice Program, funded by the Victorian Department of Health.

This means there are more GPs trained to detect skin cancer early and ready to see you should you notice any changes to your skin.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3QA93I8

Your skin type and your sun protection behaviours can have a big impact on your skin cancer risk.

If you are at high risk of skin cancer, or you’re unsure, it’s best to speak to your GP about it. In some cases your GP will develop a surveillance plan so your skin is checked and monitored regularly.

Learn more about your skin cancer risk: https://bit.ly/3QyLZJC

Right now, in Victoria there are more than 1300 missing melanoma cases.

The past few years have shifted health priorities in Victorians and we’re seeing the impacts of that with a 13% decline in expected melanoma diagnosis.

Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer as it can spread to vital organs, but if you know what to look for, you can find skin cancer before it becomes deadly.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3wsPdaR

More than 70% of skin cancers are found by people themselves or by their loved ones. Get to know your skin and if you notice any changes, visit your GP as soon as possible.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/3wr5VHA

No one knows your skin as well as you. By checking it regularly, you can more easily spot changes.

But how do you check your skin? Here are some tips:

1️⃣ Find a well-lit room and have a mirror for parts of your body that you can’t see or ask someone to help you.
2️⃣ Start at your head and work down your body – don’t forget your hair line, neck, fingers, elbows, behind your legs and soles of your feet.
3️⃣ Take note of any changes, whether it is size, shape or colour. Taking photos is a good way to remember and compare spots.
4️⃣ Take action if you notice any changes and visit your GP as soon as possible.

Add your skin check tips below ⬇️

Get more skin check tips: https://bit.ly/44tLqqx

More than 70% of skin cancers are found by people themselves or by a loved one. For Philippa from Bendigo, it was her friend that spotted a pre-cancerous melanoma before she did.

“My friend was over at my house and she said, “that looks a bit weird on your leg” and I said “does it?”. It wasn’t anything crazy…but I guess she spotted it before I did.”

Get to know your skin: https://bit.ly/3vPXwxk

Skin cancer can appear as an existing spot that has changed in colour, size or shape or a new or unusual looking spot, including a lump or sore which doesn’t heal or may bleed.

If you notice any changes to your skin, see your GP as soon as possible. The sooner skin cancer is found, the easier it is to treat.

Get to know the signs: https://bit.ly/4aK94kZ

For many regional Victorians, life is lived and enjoyed outside where they may be exposed to UV all year round. All that UV adds up to increase their risk of skin cancer, including melanoma.

At any time, potential skin cancer signs will become visible in the form of new spots, change in colour or shape of spots.

That’s why it’s important to get to know your skin and check it regularly – no matter where you live. If you notice any changes, visit your GP.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4cU5W7c

Thank you to the Local Member for Bendigo East and Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan for being part of Cancer Council Victoria’s Relay for Life event today in Bendigo and the launch of our new early detection campaign in the region. Read more here https://www.sunsmart.com.au/about-sunsmart/media-and-communications/media-releases/2024-media-releases/sunsmart-victoria-launches-new-skin-cancer-campaign-in-bendigo.html.

📣 Today we launched our new skin cancer campaign in Bendigo!

SunSmart’s early detection campaign, funded by the Victorian Department of Health, urges people living in the Loddon Mallee region to check their skin and to see a GP should they notice any changes.

SunSmart has provided training and equipment to more than 50 GPs in the region to ensure more regional Victorians have access to GPs trained to detect and treat skin cancers early.

Have you checked your skin lately? The sooner skin cancer is found, the easier it is to treat.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/4autM7Y

Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the skin. It can appear anywhere on the skin, even on parts of your body that haven’t been exposed to the sun's UV.

Look out for new spots and changes in colour or shape of existing spots. If you spot something unusual, see your GP.

Although almost entirely preventable, two in three Aussies will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

⛔ You can prevent skin cancer by using all five forms of sun protection whenever the UV is 3 or above.

🔎 You can find skin cancer by getting to know your skin and checking it regularly. If you notice changes to your skin or something unusual, see your GP.

Many regional Victorians spend time outdoors with agricultural work and enjoying the beautiful surroundings 🍂🍁

The repeated exposure to the sun's UV in the daily lives of many regional Victorians and outdoor workers increases their risk of skin cancer.

If you work outdoors, use sun protection all year round.

SunSmart is a proud content partner of the Better Health Channel by the Department of Health.

We support in the review of skin cancer prevention and early detection information, so you have the latest advice.

Check out the A-Z of health information on their website

Illegal commercial sunbed operators cropping up across Victoria are choosing profits over health.

A collarium is a rebranded sunbed. It emits both UV radiation and red light wavelengths that claim to “stimulate collagen” while providing a tan.

But the UVA radiation produced by a collarium does not stimulate collagen nor elastin production, it actually breaks it down and can cause more rapid skin-aging.

Commercial solariums have been banned since 2015 for good reason. Sunbeds, whether solarium or collarium, that change the colour of your skin and produce a tan are emitting harmful UV and will increase your risk of developing skin cancer.

Anyone can report the use or advertisement of commercial solariums or collariums to the Department of Health 👇

📧 [email protected]" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/[email protected]
📞 1300 767 469 (Mon-Fri 9am-1pm)

Read more: https://bit.ly/3PNTmwG

Listen to SunSmart’s Advocacy & Policy Manager, Justine Osborne on The Front Garden Podcast by share sun protection tips and challenge common misconceptions.

🔊 Listen to the full episode: https://bit.ly/3vAzeal

Whether you’re outdoors for work or in your own garden, protect yourself against UV and use all five forms of sun protection. It’s not only the long days in the sun that UV adds up – it’s all the in between moments too.

Cover up by wearing protective clothing, a wide brim hat and sunglasses. Apply SPF50+ to any skin you can still see and seek shade as much as possible.

Great to see Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College in Geelong introduce sun protection polices to protect secondary students from the harms of UV.

SunSmart supports all schools to introduce policies to improve sun protection habits that students can take with them for life.

Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/3PHBrHO

Easter weekends can be filled with picnics, easter egg hunts and lots of activities enjoying Victoria’s great outdoors.

For many parts of Victoria, sun protection is required until end of April. But to be sure, download the free SunSmart Global UV app for advice at your fingertips and when the UV is 3 or above, cover up.

Protect your skin and enjoy your Easter weekend.

NB: bunny ears don’t count as a hat

Including SPF in your morning skincare routine is a great way to remember to apply sunscreen daily.

Choose an SPF50+ sunscreen that feels good on your skin and is easy to reapply every two hours when the UV is 3 or above.

Share your go-to SPF ⬇️

Knowing your skin and checking it regularly will give you and your loved ones peace of mind. At any time, potential skin cancer signs will also become visible, in the form of new spots, change in colour or shape of existing spots.

Get to know your skin and check it regularly. If you notice any changes, see your GP as soon as possible.

Get to know your skin: www.sunsmart.com.au/skin-cancer/about-skin-cancer

Enjoy outdoor time with your little ones by keeping them safe from harmful UV rays.

Dress them in loose clothing and a hat for protection. Stay in shady spaces and out of direct sun when the UV is 3 or above. For any exposed skin, use SPF 50+ sunscreen on babies over six months.

Share your sunscreen selection tips below ⬇️

In 2022, 2,885 Victorians were diagnosed with melanoma.

Melanoma continues to be the 5th most common cancer in our state, despite it being one of the most preventable cancers.

95% of melanomas can be prevented by using sun protection whenever the UV is 3 or above. Protect yourself, protect your skin – cover up.

What does your daily skincare routine look like?

Many of us spend a lot of effort on our skincare routines, but in some parts of Victoria, just 11 minutes in the sun can undermine the hard work you put into your skincare.

Sun damaged skin can show up as:
- Fine lines
- Leathery skin
- Sunspots
- Premature ageing
- Mole growth

Adopting all five forms of sun protection will not only help prevent skin cancers; it will also delay premature ageing and visible sun damage.

Two in three Aussies will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. This is almost entirely preventable.

Stay protected in the sun and use all five forms of sun protection – slip, slop, slap, seek and slide.

Outdoor workers are exposed to the sun’s UV all year round. In fact, in Australia people who work outdoors receive up to 10 x more UV exposure than indoor workers.

Help protect yourself and your staff, book a SunSmart UV training session for your workplace: www.sunsmart.com.au/advice-for/workplaces/uv-training-education