Each year Cancer Council Australia and the Australasian College of Dermatologists come together for National Skin Cancer Action Week.

With two in three Australians diagnosed with skin cancer by age 70, the action week is an important reminder of the risks of exposure to UV radiation, the need for sun protection and early skin cancer detection for all Australians.

More than 2,000 people in Australia die from skin cancer each year, and Cancer Council estimates that Australia spends more than $1 billion per year treating skin cancer, with costs increasing substantially over the past few years.

Most skin cancers can be prevented by the use of good sun protection, yet too many Australians still have a tan.

Despite many Australians referring to a “heathy tan”, a tan is not a sign of good health or wellbeing. In fact, tanning is a sign that you have been exposed to enough UV radiation to damage your skin. This will eventually cause premature aging – including sun spots, wrinkles and sagging. Worst of all it increases your risk of skin cancer.

That’s why this National Skin Cancer Action Week and throughout summer Cancer Council is encouraging everyone to #OwnYourTone and embrace your natural skin tone. Make the pledge today to protect yourself from UV radiation and abstain from tanning.

During National Skin Cancer Action Week and throughout summer, whenever the UV index is three or above, use the five forms of sun protection and #OwnYourTone by:

• slip on sun-protective clothing

• slop on SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen

• slap on a broad-brimmed hat

• seek shade

• slide on sunglasses.

A combination of these measures, along with getting to know your skin and regularly checking for any changes, are the keys to reducing your skin cancer risk.

Regular skin checks are an important part of general health, particularly for those over the age of 40. All our GPs have the experience and skills to perform a full skin check - click the book now link on our web page to book in for a skin check today!

To learn more about skin cancer action week, please click the topic header above or this link: https://www.cancer.org.au/preventing-cancer/sun-protection/campaigns-and-events/national-skin-cancer-action-week.html