Skin cancer prevention

Up to 90% of skin cancer is caused by too much sun exposure. Normally, after sun exposure, the skin's normal repair system causes the damaged cells to stop reproducing, die and flake off the skin (this is why the skin peels after sunburn). If this mechanism is impaired, and the injured cells continue to multiply, the skin becomes more vulnerable to further damage by the sun.

BCC and SCC have been linked to chronic sun exposure, and tend to occur in areas such as the face that have been repeatedly exposed to the sun.

Even though they do not always occur on parts of the body that have been exposed to the sun, melanomas are linked to excessive sunbathing that causes your skin to be scorched and blistered. It is reported that one blistering sunburn episode during childhood can double a person's risk for developing melanoma later in life.

The people most vulnerable to melanoma are -

• fair-skinned people
• redheads
• blue-eyed blondes
• people with pigment disorders (e.g. albinos)
• people with many freckles or moles
• workers exposed to substances such as coal tar, radium, insecticides and other carcinogens

Fortunately, most skin cancers are detected and cured before they spread, and the majority of Australians are aware of the need to be vigilant, both about sun protection, and keeping an eye on skin changes. It is when the melanoma is undetected and spreads to other organs that it poses the greatest problem.

• Antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin A (betacarotene), vitamin C, and vitamin E can help reduce the risk of cell damage, especially when taken in conjunction with the minerals zinc and selenium
• Essential fatty acids, such as those found in Evening Primrose and Fish Oils, are also essential for the health of the skin

Enjoy a well-balanced diet, rich in antioxidants - eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Ensure you are eating foods with a variety of colours in order to be getting a wide range of nutrients. Include red, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables and green leafy vegetables in your diet, every day.

Avoid sunburn and over-exposure to the sun, and be particularly careful to "slip, slop, slap" with your children. Avoid sun exposure during the hottest part of the day, around lunchtime - 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wear clothes that cover your exposed body parts and offer UV protection.

Do regular self-examinations and report any suspicious looking marks or skin lesions to your healthcare professional at once. Ask your GP to also do a full body check every 6-12 months.

Assist your body's healing processes by taking an antioxidant supplement for several days after being sunburnt. If you are a regular sun-bather, consider taking an antioxidant supplement on an ongoing basis.

Always ask your healthcare professional to check any potentially cancerous skin growths as soon as possible after you notice them, particularly if you have had skin cancer previously, as this leaves you at more risk of getting it again.

Your healthcare professional will discuss appropriate treatment with you.

Speak to your healthcare professional as soon as you notice a suspicious looking lesion or changes to a mole. In most cases of skin cancer, preventive measures can be taken to stop it spreading.