Many of us are guilty of neglecting our regular health check-ups, especially for our largest organ - our skin. Skin cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in Australia each year and the number of cases rise every year.
Can Tooers Martin Carlson, General Practitioner, and Tarryn Beatty, Registered Nurse, are co-founders of the Moruya General Practice and Skin Cancer Clinic and are passionate about raising awareness of the importance of skin cancer check ups.
It's tricky to find the perfect balance of exposing your skin to absorb enough Vitamin D and not getting burnt by the sun. To maintain the right level of Vitamin D, you only require short busrts of sun at a time. As the ozone layer is thinning out, we can rely less on its protection from harsh UV rays. So, before you step outside make sure to check the UV level using the SunSmart app as it will suggest protective methods for the day. Remember, it's also very important to continue wearing sun protection even in winter as the UV rays still penetrate through the clouds.
Get in the habit of performing self-surveillance on your skin. By knowing how your freckles and moles appear on a regular basis then you'll be able to detect any physical changes. If you do notice anything unusual, don't delay get it checked by a health professional.
For the longest time, every Australian knew the words 'Slip, Slop, Slap', however in recent years the following words have been added 'Sleek and Slide' to become the 5 Ss of sun safety. These 5 prevention methods can be easily implemented into your daily routine.
- Slip on some sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
- Slop on broad spectrum, water resistant SPF30+ sunscreen. Apply 20 minutes before leaving the house to allow your body to absorb it in. Reapply every 2 hours for continuous protection.
- Slap on a wide brim or legionnaire style hat to protect your face, head, neck and ears.
- Seek shade wherever possible.
- Slide on some sunglasses that meet Australian standards.
Martin and Tarryn, have been training remotely for the Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon 2022. They love the ethos and message Can Too evokes and both wanted to show their support even though they aren't local to any Can Too training pods.
Do you live remotely but still want to take part in a Can Too program? Contact info@cantoo.org.au to discuss your options.
To read more about protecting your skin click here
Pictured: Martin Carlson and Tarryn Beatty during the Canberra Marathon 2022
