One of the beauties of living in Australia is, well, it’s beautiful. We live in a fabulous country. One of the downsides of living in Australia is the unrelenting sun.
In Australia, 95-99% of skin cancer is caused by exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays (UV). This can range from too many hours on the beach to working outdoors in the sun. And there’s no denying that the the stats around skin cancer as a result are scary – a whopping two in three Australians will be diagnosed with some form of the disease during their life. But that’s no excuse to stick your head in the sand. Skin cancer is one of the most preventable and detectable types of cancer.
Types and symptoms of skin cancer with pictures
There are three different types of skin cancer and they are named after the type of skin cell they start from – melanoma skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma.
1. Melanoma
Melanoma is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in Australia and arguably the most dangerous – it kills more young Australians than any other single cancer. Melanoma forms in the skin’s pigment cells and it can develop rapidly if left untreated, entering the bloodstream or lymphatic system and spreading to other parts of the body. Melanoma can appear in a new or existing spot, mole or freckle, and signs to look out for are changes in colour, size or shape. They occur most frequently on the upper back in men and on the lower leg in women.
2. Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma starts in the upper layer of the epidermis and is often found on lips, ears and the scalp. Symptoms include red, scaly areas that bleed easily, painful sores that won’t heal and ulcers. It’s one of the most common forms of skin cancer. It’s not considered as dangerous as melanoma but it can spread to other parts of the body if not treated.
3. Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma develops in the lower layer of the epidermis and is most commonly found on body parts that receive significant sun exposure like the head, neck, face, shoulders and back. Symptoms can display as a pearly lump or dry, scaly, area that is shiny and pale or bright pink in colour.
Where should we be checking that we often overlook?
Most skin cancers are discovered by us, or our observant loved ones. We closely examine our faces, arms, chest etc, but often fail to look further down. A third of primary melanomas (the most dangerous skin cancer) are located in the lower limbs. Let’s be honest, who regularly pays close attention to their feet, let alone applies sunscreen to them whilst soaking up some rays? However, it is critical we pay close attention to overlooked areas like the sole of the foot, between our toes and even our toenails! In fact, podiatrists are very alive to the dangers of melanoma in the lower half of the body.
We caught up with podiatrist, Alice Corbett, who outlined her approach when it comes to checking her patients. “A proactive and vigilant approach is always recommended as 95% of skin cancers can be successfully treated if detected and managed early,” said Corbett. She explained that podiatrists are specially trained to routinely look out for following signs and symptoms:
- New or changing skin lesions: moles, nodules, inflamed patches. This includes examining the lower legs, around the ankles, both the top and the bottom of the feet and between the toes.
- Areas of recurrent cracking or bleeding.
- Discoloured or black toenails as skin cancers can develop on the nail bed. Top tip: ensure to remove nail polish when checking.
Corbett also remarked that, “Skin cancers can often mimic general podiatry conditions including trauma to toenails, fungal infections, plantar warts and diabetic ulcerations. An expert opinion from your clinician can help screen and identify sinister pathology which requires further investigation.”
How to do a skin check at home
Having said that, it’s always important to know how to do a skin check yourself at home. The sooner a skin cancer is detected, the better. Check regularly and assess existing and new spots, freckles and moles. Having said that, Aussies often miss a few steps or don’t quite take the time to properly check.
Dr Priya Chagan, TAL’s General Manager of Health Services, says there is a persistent disconnect between people’s skin safety intentions and their actions, with not enough people taking tangible steps to prevent or reduce the impact of skin cancer.
“The TAL SpotChecker research tells us that Australians have good intentions around how they can protect themselves from the sun. 73% want to set a good example for their loved ones and encourage them to take the right measures to protect themselves from the sun with the key motivators being to prevent sunburn (76%), reduce skin cancer (67%) and concerns about their skin health (52%).”
“In reality, 70% admit they sometimes forget to protect themselves from skin cancer, and less than half (43%) of Australians consider sun safety as part of their daily routine. This is concerning because even just a few instances of severe, unprotected sun exposure can have dire consequences for skin health outcomes.”
So with the aim of turning those stats around, remember to employ the SCAN approach.
SCAN means looking for a spot, freckle or mole that is:
- Sore, scaly, itchy, bleeding, tender and doesn’t heal within six weeks.
- Changing in appearance, size, shape or colour.
- Abnormal: Looks different, feels different, or stands out when compared to others.
- New: Most melanomas – and all other skin cancers – arise this way. It is important to check your face, neck, ears and back as well as the front and back of the torso and buttocks, arms, legs, hands (including palms), feet (including soles), and between your fingers and toes (including nails), groin, genital areas and scalp.
The Cancer Council also has some important tips for how to complete a skin check properly.
- Undress completely in bright lighting
- Use a mirror to check hard to reach areas, like your back and scalp. Or, get a friend, family member, or partner to check it for you
- Make sure you check your entire body – including the soles of your feet, under nails and between fingers and toes – as skin cancers can develop in parts of the body that don’t receive sun exposure
How often should you do a self skin check?
It’s encouraged that people should make a habit of regularly self-checking their skin every few months so that they can start to identify signs of skin cancer early. If you do spot anything abnormal, head to your GP or skin cancer clinic straight away for further investigation.
Where can you get a skin check?
There are a number of places you can go to get a professional skin check.
1. General practitioner
Your regular doctor can perform a skin check, however you can also ask if your practice has a GP who has additional training in dermoscopy, which is how moles are assessed using a dermatoscope. GPs can perform an examination, treat some skin cancers and refer you to a specialist if necessary.
2. Skin cancer clinic
There are a many skin cancer clinics that can perform examinations. These are usually run by GPs with a focus on skin cancer. Although some may have done extra training, doctors are not required to have special qualifications to work in a skin cancer clinic.
3. Dermatologist
Your doctor can refer you to a dermatologist for a second opinion
4. Podiatrist
Given the alarming percentage of primary melanoma detected in the lower limbs, it’s certainly worth seeing your podiatrist to ensure that everything is as it should be with the soles of your feet and beyond.
