Skin cancer in Australia is not just common. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the country, with around two in three Australians developing some form of skin cancer by age 70.
Despite this, most Australians do not check their skin regularly, and many do not know what they are looking for when they do.
A skin check takes less than ten minutes. Knowing what to look for takes even less. And catching a skin cancer early, before it has had time to grow or spread, makes an enormous difference to outcomes.
The Cancer Council Australia is the peak body on cancer prevention and recommends that all Australians perform regular self-examinations and have professional skin checks at intervals recommended by their doctor based on individual risk.
The Three Main Types of Skin Cancer
Understanding which type of skin cancer you are looking for changes what you are looking for.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type and the least dangerous. It grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. It typically appears as a pearly or flesh-coloured lump, a flat scar-like lesion, or a pink growth with raised edges. It is most common on the head, neck, and hands.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type. It can spread if left untreated and appears as a firm red nodule, a flat lesion with a scaly or crusted surface, or a new sore that does not heal. It is most common on sun-exposed areas including the face, ears, neck, lips, and hands.
Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer and the one most people are most concerned about. It can develop anywhere on the body, including areas not regularly exposed to the sun.
Melanoma is responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths in Australia despite being less common than basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.
The ABCDE Rule for Spotting Melanoma
The ABCDE rule is the most widely used framework for identifying suspicious moles or lesions that could be melanoma. Apply it to any spot, mole, or growth on your skin.
A is for asymmetry. A normal mole is roughly symmetrical. If you drew a line through the middle, both halves would look similar. If one half does not match the other, that is worth attention.
B is for border. Normal moles have smooth, even borders. Irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred borders are a warning sign.
C is for colour. A mole that is a single, uniform shade of brown is generally less concerning than one with multiple colours including shades of brown, black, red, white, or blue.
D is for diameter. Melanomas are often larger than 6 millimetres across, roughly the size of a pencil eraser, though they can be smaller when first detected.
E is for evolving. Any change in a mole or skin lesion, including size, shape, colour, or a new symptom like bleeding, itching, or crusting, deserves prompt medical attention.
How to Do a Self-Examination at Home
A thorough self-examination requires good lighting, a full-length mirror, a hand mirror, and a methodical approach. The goal is to become familiar enough with your own skin that you notice changes when they occur.
Start at your face and scalp. Use a comb or hair dryer to part your hair and examine your scalp in sections. Check your face, ears, and the back of your neck.
Move to your arms, checking the tops and undersides of both, including between the fingers and under the nails. Check your chest, abdomen, and both sides of your torso.
Use the full-length mirror to examine your back from shoulders to lower back, then your buttocks and the backs of both legs. Use the hand mirror to examine areas that are difficult to see directly.
Check the soles of your feet, between your toes, and under your toenails. Melanoma can and does develop in these less-examined areas.
The Melanoma Institute Australia recommends checking your skin monthly and keeping a note or photos of any spots you want to monitor over time.
When to See a Doctor
Any spot, mole, or lesion that meets any of the ABCDE criteria should be reviewed by a GP or skin cancer specialist promptly. The same applies to any new growth that looks different from your other moles, any sore that does not heal within a few weeks, or anything that bleeds, itches, or changes without explanation.
You do not need to wait for your annual check to raise a concern. If something worries you, book an appointment. Skin cancer caught at an early stage is highly treatable. The same cancer diagnosed late carries a very different prognosis.
Professional skin checks are available through GPs, dermatologists, and dedicated skin cancer clinics. In Australia, a GP skin check attracts a Medicare rebate, making it an accessible option for most people. For those at higher risk due to personal or family history, more frequent professional checks are recommended.
Sun Protection as Prevention
No guide to skin cancer would be complete without addressing the most effective intervention available: sun protection.
UV radiation is the primary cause of skin cancer in Australia. The UV index in most parts of the country is high enough to cause damage year-round, not just in summer.
Applying broad-spectrum SPF 50 or higher sunscreen daily, wearing protective clothing, seeking shade during peak UV hours between 10am and 3pm, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat significantly reduce cumulative UV exposure and long-term skin cancer risk.
Conclusion
Skin cancer in Australia is a serious and common health risk, but it is also one of the most preventable and treatable cancers when detected early. Getting to know your own skin, checking it regularly, and seeing a doctor promptly when something changes are the three most powerful things you can do.
If you have not had a professional skin check recently, booking one with your GP is a simple step with potentially significant consequences.
FAQs
1. How often should I have a professional skin check in Australia?
For most adults, an annual skin check is a reasonable baseline. People with a personal or family history of skin cancer, fair skin, a history of significant sun exposure, or many moles may need more frequent checks. Your GP or dermatologist can recommend the right interval for your risk profile.
2. Is a skin check covered by Medicare in Australia?
A GP skin check is covered by Medicare under a standard consultation. Dermatologist consultations require a GP referral and attract a different Medicare rebate. Dedicated skin cancer clinics may bulk bill or charge a gap depending on their model.
3. Can skin cancer develop on parts of the body that never see the sun?
Yes. Melanoma in particular can develop on the soles of the feet, between the toes, under the nails, on the palms, and on mucous membranes. These locations are often missed in self-examinations and underscore the importance of a thorough full-body check.
4. What is the difference between a mole and a melanoma?
Most moles are benign and remain stable throughout life. Melanoma is a malignant change that can begin in an existing mole or arise as a new spot. The ABCDE criteria help distinguish features of concern in any pigmented lesion, and any mole that changes or has unusual features should be assessed by a doctor.
5. Are tanning beds as risky as sun exposure for skin cancer?
Yes, and in some respects more so. Tanning beds emit concentrated UV radiation and using one before age 35 increases melanoma risk by approximately 75 percent according to international data. There is no safe level of tanning bed use.