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Escalating Melanoma Rates in Women: A Concern on International Women’s Day

Escalating rates of Melanoma being detected in Women. Melanoma now the third most common cancer for women in Australia. Women need to be aware of the dangers of melanoma. Carefully checking their own skin for new moles, skin cancer and melanoma. Having an annual skin check or molemap at their specialist or skin cancer clinic.


Melbourne, Victoria, Australia – WEBWIRE

Happy International Women’s Day! Now let’s talk about women and skin cancer. Why? Because the number of new melanoma cases of women in Australia has increased by over 34% since the year 2000* which is frightening.

Whilst the mortality of melanoma has reduced, the incidence has steadily increased with melanoma now the third most common cancer for women in Australia, following breast and bowel cancer. 

Melanoma is most prevalent in women over the age of 50. These are women who perhaps spent their youth tanning, possibly used solariums, didn’t have access to sunscreen and subsequently have accumulated significant sun damage. There is however some positive news for young women. Even though melanoma is the most common cancer for women between the ages of 15 to 44 years, their melanoma incidence rates are dropping. This is probably due to the sun safety programs introduced in the 1980’s, such as Slip, Slop, Slap.

The most common locations for melanoma on women are the legs followed by the arms. Most of these melanomas will appear as a new mole or an existing mole that has started to show change. Routinely check your own skin and recruit others to assist. Examine your legs carefully whilst you’re shaving or waxing, check your toenails and fingernails when changing your nail polish. Feel for any new lumps or bumps when applying moisturiser. Ask your hairdresser to mention any moles noticed on your scalp and a PAP smear is good time to get your GP to check your genital area for melanoma.

Once a year get your skin checked from head to toe by a doctor, trained in dermatoscopy and skin cancer medicine, to detect skin cancer, especially melanoma, at the earliest stage. If detected early, the survival rate from melanoma in-situ is 99-100%.

For more information on skin cancer and melanoma, please visit Peninsula Skin Cancer Centre’s web page: www.pscc.net.au or follow them on facebook. 

*Statistics from Cancer in Australia: An overview 2014.

Contact:
Sue Dixon, Media Relations
info@pscc.net.au

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