Be SunSmart, you’ve got skin in the game

This February, Winslow is emphasising the importance of being SunSmart and prioritising skin checks to help protect yourself from one of the most preventable cancers ‑ skin cancer.

With 95 per cent of skin cancers preventable, simple actions can make a big difference in protecting your health.

Whether at work or outdoors, safeguard yourself from harmful UV rays with these tips:

• Wear sun protective clothing such as long sleeves and UV-resistant fabric.
• Apply SPF30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen every two hours—avoid using baby oil.
• Wear a broad-brimmed hat to shade your neck, ears, and face.
• Seek shade, especially during peak UV hours.
• Protect your eyes with Australian-standard sunglasses to shield against UV damage.

Know Your Skin

Make skin checks part of your routine:

• If you’re at high risk, schedule professional skin examinations annually.
• Conduct self-checks every three months using a mirror or assistance for hard-to-see areas.
• Remember the ABCDE guide used to identify warning signs of melanoma:
  • Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other half in shape or appearance.
  • Border: irregular shape, ragged notched or blurred.
  • Colour: varied tones, featuring different shades of brown or black, or patches of pink, red, white, or blue.
  • Diameter: larger than 6mm.
  • Evolution: changes size, shape, colour, or elevation, or it starts to itch, hurt, or bleed.

If you notice new or changing moles, or non-healing lesions, see your GP immediately. Early detection drastically improves outcomes.

Winslow is distributing self-care skin-check cards to assist with regular monitoring. Protect yourself and make SunSmart habits part of your daily routine. Stay safe and keep your skin healthy!