australiamaybe

It seems that 2 out of 3 Australians get skin cancer before they are 70, which is quite an alarming statistic. I am currently considering relocating to Oz and this worrys me a bit particularly with my kids.

Looking at the UV index for Australia it seems the lowest is Melbourne still high but less than other places.

Does anybody else concern about this and does anybody have regional statistics for skin cancer across Australia.

The scary one I read was that the cancergins in sun lotion can actually cause skin cancer. If that is the case you can't win.

Dreamy

Check the mortality rate for skin cancer in Australia and then in the UK - that may calm your fears a little - or perhaps not! (although in either country you should always take precautions and be vigilant)

I know that others have posted on here that doctors are much more switched on in Australia to the early detection of skin cancer and so treatment occurs much earlier than in northern hemisphere countries.

ABCDiamond

In Australia most people get checked for cancer every year, therefore early cancers get picked up very fast, and removed.

Deaths from Skin Cancer
Australia = 1,678 deaths
UK = 2,300+ deaths

Deaths from reported cases of Skin Cancer
4.4 per 1,000 in Australia
31.9 per 1,000 in UK

The chance of dying from skin cancer in Australia is very low compared to the UK.

The chance of getting skin cancer is high compared to the UK.

bcworld

...but

means chance of dying from skin cancer, approx:

Aus: 7.6 per 100,000 people
UK: 3.8+ per 100,000 people

ABCDiamond

Based on these two relevant stats, I would rather get skin cancer in Australia, than in Europe.

Deaths per diagnosed skin cancer
Aus: 4.4 per 1,000
UK: 31.9 per 1,000

Deaths per population
Aus: 7.6 per 100,000
UK: 3.8+ per 100,000

Probably because of the known risks in Australia, my experiences with the sun have been less risky than they were in Europe.

Hopefully most British will have the same regard for the sun, having seen discussions on this, and avoid getting skin cancers.

bcworld

Any source for this btw?

I'm interested to see which types of skin cancer are included - all types or just the most serious?

ABCDiamond

http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/
http://www.sunsmart.com.au/

The 1,678 figure was:
1,273 melanoma
405 non-melanoma skin cancer

Zambia

Its easier to get Skin Cancer here because the sun is closer to the earth over Australia.

I my Mother told me this just before I migrated so it must be true.

mohogony

You always wear a hat and long sleaved shirt when going out in the summer sun works better then sun lotion, l never wear any.

mohogony

l think Queensland the 'sunshine state" worst for skin cancer, l think Melbounre and VIctorias the lowest.

ABCDiamond

Nor do I.

In 2004...

Sunshine7

You can get sun protection which doesn't have all the nasty chemicals in it (some of which are known carcinogens and endocrine disruptors - ) but it is more expensive.

manzipoo

You can win the battle against cancer. Prevention is better than the cure.
Lots of sun lotions without all the chemicals are available.
Try wicker herbal store.
Nutricentre.
Can't think where else sells the creams, if I find out I will post the link.
Get the highest possible factor, cover up at all times if poss, especially kiddies.
Don't let the sun put you off.

manzipoo

Check out the herbal stores, I got my creams from there, and no nasty chemicals.

asprilla

Once you've lived over here for a while, you tend to stay in the shade if there is any available.

Nothing wrong with going out in the sun... I love a bit of sunbathing (or, sunbaking as it is called here)... just make sure you avoid the middle of the day and use suncream.

As per ABCDiamond's posts, regular checks for skin cancer are "the norm" here....but not in the UK.

The frequency of these checks depends on your level of risk... which is generally thought to be a function of skin type and number/size of moles.