SKIN CHECK WA

NOSE THOSE RED SPOTS MAY NOT BE PIMPLES

EAR WATCH FOR SMALL SORES, SCALY SPOTS

BACK, LEGS DANGER AREAS FOR MELANOMA

SKIN CANCER EARLY DETECTION LOCATION GUIDE

Do not miss these skin cancers ! The majority of skin cancer occurs where we have had excessive exposure to the sun or bad sunburns. These areas include our arms, face and back. However, they can occur anywhere on our skin. Skin cancer can be very subtle in appearance. We must be vigilant to detect them early. Here are 6 locations where skin cancer may not be so obvious:

Skin Cancers, when detected early, are simple to treat, with excellent rates of cure. Always aim for early detection

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SKIN CHECK WA

Nose ! A large number of basal cell carcinoma develop on the noses of Australians. The nose is a frequent site for sunburn. There are many reasons for this. We may not have practised adequate sun protection in the first place. Sunscreen may get washed away with sweat. Hats may not cover it adequately.

These might look like pimples but are in fact skin cancers

It is not easy to detect an early skin cancer on the nose, since it often just starts as a simple red or brown spot and not raise any suspicion. It is what lies beneath that matters most. Watch for scaliness, soreness and any bleeding. But beware that they can be silent. Seek expert medical help if any “pimple” or red spot persists more than a few weeks.

! Forehead and Temples ! Our forehead is another common location for skin cancers especially towards the temples where it gets more sun exposure. Baseball caps do not provide adequate sun protection! Our temples, upper part of our cheeks, lower lip, ears and our nose are often the first areas on our face to get sun damaged.

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SKIN CHECK WA

These skin cancers on the back do not give no symptoms when small

! Back and upper chest ! The back is known to be a high risk skin cancer site in men, However, we have found that in WA where outdoor activities are equally enjoyed by all, skin cancers are found frequently on the backs of women as well. The examples to the right show early skin cancers which are not obvious to the untrained eye. Special equipment and training is required to diagnose these early.

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SKIN CHECK WA

Don’t forget that a skin cancer starts small and grows until it is noticed. Do not wait until it is large. The example below shows a small (3mm diameter) melanoma on the chest amongst hair. Since it is detected and treated early, it has an excellent rate of cure.

! Early skin cancers are generally small, flat and light in colour.

! ! The upper chest of women is often more exposed to the sun and is at higher risk. It is important to detect these skin cancers early since it may be possible to use non-surgical treatment, reducing the risk of scarring.

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SKIN CHECK WA

Hair line This is a high risk area especially in those whose hair is short or is tied back. Many of us forgets to apply sunscreen right into the hairline, leaving a strip of skin exposed to more UV radiation.

Make sure you do not ignore symptoms such as pain, itch or bleeding. They are signals our body is using to warn us of potential dangers.

! Ears Our ears have very delicate skin. We detect quite a number of skin cancers especially in men who have either worked outdoor or enjoyed outdoor activities. These skin cancers may be scaly, rough patches of skin, or small red spots, or show areas of variable pigmentation.

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SKIN CHECK WA

Lower legs The back of the legs, especially the lower legs, are often overlooked when searching for early skin cancers. These are also common areas for melanoma. Look for any red spots, non-healing sores, scaly patches and unusually coloured or irregular moles.

If you are concerned, please seek expert medical help from qualified doctors.

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Skin Check WA is always ready to assist you. We hope this list has alerted you to some of body locations where skin cancer may develop. It is not a comprehensive list and is not intended to replace an assessment by a doctor trained in skin cancer medicine. For more details: visit www.skincheckwa.com.au call us on 08 9271 2522 email us: [email protected] We will be glad to help.

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