Staff from the Bega Valley Skin Cancer and Cosmetic Clinic supported the Melanoma Awareness Day event at Pambula on May 30.
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Set up at the Health Hub tent, they offered education about melanoma as well as free bookings to the clinic to anyone at the event.
Nick Theris has been working at the skin cancer clinic for 11 years and practised in the Bega Valley Shire for 33 years.
Dr Theris said melanoma was the most common cause of death in young people and the key was to be aware about it.
"Most melanomas that we diagnose are people just coming in for a check scan, they don't know they're there," he said.
Melanoma Institute Australia said Australia has the highest melanoma rates in the world, with one person diagnosed with the disease every 30 minutes.
Dr Theris said if an adult notices any changes to spots on their skin, in colour, shape, or a new mole, they should see their local GP or book an appointment with the nearest skin cancer clinic.
"Anything that changes, is unusual or is new in an adult is a warning sign," Dr. Theris said.
He also said that early diagnosis is integral to catching the cancer early as they are more likely to help cure the cancer, whereas more developed cases are much harder to treat.
"The large ones are not the ones we want to pick up because by then the outlook is not as good."
Dr Theris was hesitant to advise a certain age where people should consider getting tested or exact symptoms to look out for.
"I think telling people what to look for is very difficult because even as clinicians it can be very very subtle," he said.
The Bega Valley Skin Cancer Clinic's recommendations of changes to look out for:
- New moles
- Moles that increase in size
- An outline of a mole that becomes notched
- Change in colour on a spot from brown to black or is varied
- A spot that develops a lump within it or becomes raised
- Rough, scaly or ulcerated surfaces begin to develop
- Moles that itch or tingle
- Moles that bleed or weep
- Spots that look different from your other spots
Bega Valley Skin Cancer Clinic recommends sunscreen should be applied to all areas of exposed skin 20 minutes before going out in the sun and should be reapplied every two hours.
Find out how to do a self examination in preventing melanoma on this website, alternatively book an appointment at your nearest skin cancer clinic or local GP.
Dr Theris said if in doubt it was always a good idea to get checked.
He recommended that high risk individuals keep a close eye on their skin, including those who work outdoors all day, fair skin types, those with immune conditions and people with family histories of skin cancer.
"The message is to be aware of skin cancer, prevention is important," Dr Theris said.
Amandine Ahrens
Twice weekly
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