Preventing skin cancer
Protect your skin
We are coming up to summer and that means sunburn.
For best protection, we recommend a combination of sun protection measures:
Slip on some sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
Slop on broad spectrum, water resistant SPF30+ (or higher) sunscreen. Put it on 20 minutes before you go outdoors and every two hours afterwards. Sunscreen should never be used to extend the time you spend in the sun.
Slap on a hat – broad brim or legionnaire style to protect your face, head, neck and ears.
Seek shade.
Slide on some sunglasses – make sure they meet Australian Standards.
YOU AND UV
Throughout your life, each time you don’t adequately protect yourself frommoderate or higher levels of UV, it can damage your DNA.
DAMAGED DNA
Damage to your DNA builds up over time. If it gets damaged too much that’s how melanoma begins.
MELANOMA
Melanoma is one of the most serious types of skin cancer. At just 1mm deep it can get into your bloodstream and spread easily to other parts of the body.