jad n rich

One of my concerns going back to Uk or N america is the doctors there are probably not as gung ho with the knife as they are in OZ. Here, if its suspicious they cut it off, which in the end probably saves your life.

Its not great, many aussies are walking round with many many scars, but its better IMO to be cautious. I have cousins our colouring in the UK, none as far as I know even think about skin cancer, however many tot off to spain yearly for a skin fry.

When we came here I was talked into the better climate speel, however Ive always been cautious about the sun, it however you dont realise how much UV seeps through in cars etc, and it all adds up. Due to my caution I got checked and got rid of something that had only been there 6/8 weeks.

I could have stayed in the UK and had the tiny BCC on my face and nobody would have picked it up, I am certain of that, by being here I learnt the dangers of the sun, the warning signs and what to do. When we go back OS to live I will pay a dermatologist to check my skin, and of course now know pretty much what to look for as do all the family - Were like a bunch of monkeys checking each other out

ABCDiamond

Actually, if you are diagnosed with Skin cancer, Australia is one of the best places to be for treatment to fix it.

Only 4.4 deaths per 1,000 skin cancer diagnosis in Australia, compared to 31.9 per 1,000 reported cases in the UK. So if you just jump on a plane back to the UK, you actually increase your chance of dying from it, seven fold.

moneypenny20

Give or take a percentage point Get your stats right!

JenJen

Well I suppose it's like if you don't drive or go out in a car you'll never have a potentially fatal car accident, if you don't go out and walk in the snow/ ice theoretically you should never fall over and break anything,

If you don't have kids you won't risk having any of the numerous complications from having them, had I not had kids at all I was told I would probably have been in my late 40's - 50's before my heart problem (that I didn't know I had) became an issue not in my late 20's, there's lots I can't do now that I could and did enjoy before

But it all depends on the individual doesn't it, some people want to lap up life and do as much as they can and live in different areas of the world that would suit the life they want for themselves and they're families better, some people want to be as safe as possible so won't learn to drive, won't drink, won't smoke spend little time out in the sun, won't go abroad.
If you're going to live your life no matter what country or lifestyle you choose if you want to reduce the risks you take precautions (without meaning this to sound like a safe sex ad), you slap on the high factor sun block, hats, t shorts etc, reapply the slap, you cut down how much you smoke/ how much you drink/ you try and always drive sensibly and keep a good eye on the other drivers on the road.

Yes the risks can be reduced by not going to a high UV country but as has been said it happens in lower UV countries to ppl who try to stay safe in the sun etc, you never know who is going to be the unlucky individual?
An if there's anything i've learnt about Cancer it's not always targeting the ppl who aren't safe in the sun. My aunt for as long as I can remember has slapped on the highest factor sun cream she can, she always wears a hat in the sun and layers of clothes (feel sweaty just looking at her) she lives in Wales for god sake and she's had several suspect moles removed.

I think i'd rather live my life than live in fear of what could happen, i'll just be as safe as I can

BadgeIsBack

Whose this Dr Lester bloke?

At last - a positive....

OzSheila

I (Oz born and bred) recall seeing a specialist in the UK about a mole I was concerned about and he asked me "when I wanted to die" Still here some years later but didn't exactly inspire confidence at the time.

FIL (again Oz born of Nordic heritage; was a horse breaker many moons ago hence outdoors alot; then spent 40+ years flying - pilots have a higher than average risk of skin cancers) now lives in France and has had, and continues to have supposedly "cutting edge" treatment involving blue light or something. Prior to retiring there, him and MIL were always at Oz doctors having bits cut out (particularly on their faces). Now both in their mid 70's and looking and feeling better than they have done for years.

homewardbound

I have some sort of growth in my head that has suddenly got bigger so am off to get it checked andprobably cut out... I've been very naughty and not made an appointment but this thread has reminded me to make that call!

Cheetah7

Dr Lester, he is at Level One Melanoma Skin Clinic, Hamilton Hill, WA. I dont have his number to hand but Ill post it tomorrow.

He took some photos of various moles on me a few weeks ago 'to take to his conference in Barcelona'

I totally trust him, I accept the fact I am high risk and do the best I can to protect myself and still enjoy my life.

Deutschmaster

But surely though the risk of developing skin cancer in the UK is lower in the first place than in Aus?

JenJen

Yawn

ausi dream

Hi! I have just seen this thread and oh boy am i pleased that i came across it as i have not long returned back to the Uk from three month in Spain with work over the summer period and had to go to my doctor on my return for a check up on the bottom half of my arms as i suddenly started getting what looked like little freckles that quite quickly developed into larger freckles and then started to spread until they all met each other and now it is on quite a large area on each arm.
Do i need to worry about skin cancer?

When showing it to my doctor, i was told to keep an eye on it and was asked if it itched and i must admit it has done a little bit.

After seeing this thread i am a little bit worried now as i had thought nothing of it.

ABCDiamond

I would definitely hope it was lower, it should be But what I was saying is that if you have already it, you would be better being treated in Australia, rather than getting the first plane back to the UK.

If the British have holidays in Spain etc, the UV can get very high there, and without precautions, you would expect skin cancer to be very high, in comparison to the UK.

You can check the European stats here: http://eu-cancer.iarc.fr/cancer-27-a...a-skin.html,en
However, it shows Spain as only slightly higher than the UK. Maybe due to skin type ?

I know that I burnt very quickly in Spain, and have hardly burnt at all since being here, probably due to taking a lot more precautions here.

Deutschmaster

time to stop reading this post then

markbhx

I see lots of chinese people with umbrellas in the sun. They must carry an umbrella everyday, in case it's raining or sunny!!

jad n rich

Go to the qld cancer council website they should have a image gallery of types of cancer. I have a chart from them, the same one many medical centres have, it has been amazinly helpful as a guide to whats what. Be aware if your very fair, Your moles/lumps might be a lot lighter than in the images. Of course its just a guide and no substitute for a doc/dermo.

Edit, Go to the spot the difference link on the website. Did try to add link but its not working that way, but search brings it up.