BATTLING SKIN CANCER IN A HIGH RISK POPULATION

The Dermatologic Surgery Center of Washington helps to battle skin cancer in one of the world’s most vulnerable populations. Each year Dr. Skelsey and her staff volunteer at the Australian Embassy Health Fair where they do skin cancer screenings for embassy personnel.

Australia and New Zealand have one of the highest incidence and mortality rates of melanoma in the world, according to Australia’s Department of Health and Aging. Fair-skinned populations that migrated from Britain and Europe to areas with high levels of solar ultraviolet radiation like Australia and New Zealand, have experienced a jump in the incidence of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.*
This year Physician’s Assistant Cynthia Wallace performed more than 30 full body scans at the October 30 fair.

Australians battle skin cancer on their own turf with ongoing research and a preventative program worth noting here in the US: Australian researchers recently released a study abstract revealing that Nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, significantly reduces the incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancers among people who have had a previous basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.

One of the most successful health campaigns in Australia’s history was launched by Cancer Council Australia in 1980. Sid the seagull, wearing board shorts, t-shirt and a hat, tap-danced his way across TV screens singing a catchy jingle to remind viewers of three easy ways of protecting against skin cancer.

Slip, Slop, Slap! It sounds like a breeze when you say it like that Slip, Slop, Slap! In the sun we always say “Slip Slop Slap!” Slip, Slop, Slap! Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat, Slip, Slop, Slap! You can stop skin cancer – say: “Slip, Slop, Slap!”

*National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at the Australian National University