Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer, but it is also one of the most treatable when detected early. Regular skin checks can help identify new or changing moles before they become more serious, giving you the best opportunity for timely medical care. With MelaCheck, monitoring your skin becomes simple and convenient, helping you stay aware of changes over time and encouraging you to seek professional advice whenever something doesn't look right. A few minutes each month could make a life-changing difference.
The Importance of
regular self skin checks:
Checking your skin regularly helps you spot changes early when they are easiest to treat. This simple habit gives you peace of mind and keeps you in control of your health.
Early Detection Saves Lives
Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer, but it is also one of the most treatable when detected early. Regular skin checks can help identify new or changing moles before they become more serious, giving you the best opportunity for timely medical care. With MelaCheck, monitoring your skin becomes simple and convenient, helping you stay aware of changes over time and encouraging you to seek professional advice whenever something doesn't look right. A few minutes each month could make a life-changing difference.
Skin Cancer Rates are Increasing
Skin cancer remains an increasing public health issue, especially for people living in Australia’s regional and rural communities, where levels of exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation are often greater. To help lessen the burden of melanoma—one of the most serious and potentially fatal forms of skin cancer in Australia—a national awareness initiative is urging Australians aged 60 years and older to carry out regular self-skin examinations.
The Self-Skin Checks, No Regrets campaign, developed by Melanoma Patients Australia in partnership with Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials, represents Australia’s first campaign of its kind. Tailored specifically for older individuals in regional and rural settings, the initiative encourages people to routinely inspect their skin for any new, unusual, or changing moles, spots, or lesions. In addition, it offers educational materials, practical guidance for performing skin checks, and personal experiences shared by patients.
The importance of early detection continues to grow. In 2021, around 8,000 people living in regional Australia were diagnosed with melanoma. Projections suggest this figure could rise to more than 11,000 cases annually by 2030, reinforcing the need for regular self-monitoring and prompt medical evaluation of any concerning skin changes.
Regional and Rural Australians have
Increased risk of developing skin cancer due to higher exposure to UV radiation
Regional and Rural Australians have
Higher rates of melanoma diagnosis compared with their metropolitan counterparts
8040 Australians living in regional areas
were diagnosed with melanoma in 2021
By 2030, it is estimated that 11,280
Australians living in regional areas will be diagnosed with melanoma
77% of Rural Australians
are not aware of any melanoma support services
25% of melanoma patient
follow ups were affected by COVID-19 lockdowns
This campaign focuses on people living in regional and rural communities, with a particular emphasis on men aged 60 and over, who are twice as likely as women to die from melanoma. According to the Cancer Council, this increased risk is largely linked to lower sun protection practices, greater complacency about sun safety, and delayed skin cancer detection.
Although skin cancer can affect people of all ages, older adults in regional and rural areas face a higher risk of developing melanoma. Many have experienced decades of unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation through outdoor work and recreational activities, as well as a history of frequent sunburns during childhood. These cumulative exposures significantly increase the likelihood of developing skin cancer later in life, making regular skin checks and early detection essential.
Early Detection Saves Lives
The need for early detection has become even more important in recent years. According to Cancer Australia, the COVID-19 pandemic created significant barriers to accessing routine healthcare, particularly for people living in regional and remote areas. Many Australians delayed or missed GP and hospital appointments, including regular skin checks and follow-up care. In 2020, Medicare-funded melanoma skin check services declined by 14%, highlighting the lasting impact of reduced access to early detection services. This reinforces the critical role of regular skin checks in identifying melanoma early, when treatment is most effective and survival rates are highest.
The Importance of regular self skin checks:
The good news is that research shows 69% of rural Australians detect their own skin cancer, demonstrating the important role that regular self-skin checks play in early diagnosis. Detecting melanoma early can make a life-saving difference. When melanoma is diagnosed at Stage 1, the five-year survival rate is approximately 99%, compared with just 26% when it is detected at Stage 4.
According to Associate Professor Victoria Mar, Director of the Victorian Melanoma Service:
"While most people recognize that sun exposure is a major risk factor for skin cancer, fewer are aware that blistering sunburns during childhood or adolescence can increase the risk of melanoma by up to 80%. This initiative is particularly important because there is still limited awareness of the need for regular skin checks later in life, with most skin cancer campaigns traditionally targeting younger generations."
She also highlights the importance of thorough skin examinations:
"Asking a partner, family member, or friend to help check areas of the skin that are difficult to see can greatly improve the chances of detecting suspicious spots early. Online educational resources are especially valuable for people living in rural and remote communities, making it easier to recognize unusual moles, lesions, or changes in the skin. These resources also provide trusted information about skin cancer and connect people with support services to help them seek appropriate care."
Self-Skin Checklist:
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Examine your body for any unusual spots, moles, or lesions
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Use a full-length mirror to check and scan your entire body
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Do not forget to check areas you cannot see easily including under your arms, in between your toes and your ears
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Ask a loved one to check for areas you cannot see or reach including on top of your head and your back
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If you see any unusual spots, moles or lesions immediately seek guidance from your healthcare professional
Spot the Signs of Melanoma
Melanoma is one of the most serious forms of skin cancer, making early detection essential. Familiarising yourself with the warning signs can help identify suspicious moles or lesions sooner. The ABCDE guide to melanoma is a simple and effective tool for recognising the key signs that may indicate melanoma.
Has the spot changed over time?
Pay attention to any changes in size, shape, colour, elevation, or symptoms such as itching, bleeding, crusting, or tenderness. A mole or skin lesion that continues to change should be examined by a healthcare professional.
E – Evolution
D – Diameter
Is the spot larger than 6 mm in diameter?
Spots larger than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser) should be assessed, particularly if they are changing. However, remember that some melanomas can be smaller than 6 mm, so any new or unusual spot deserves attention.
C – Colour
Does the spot contain multiple colours?
A concerning spot may have varying shades of brown, black, tan, red, white, or blue. Uneven colour distribution can be a warning sign of melanoma.
B – Border
Does the spot have irregular or uneven borders?
Look for edges that are jagged, blurred, scalloped, or poorly defined rather than smooth and even
A – Asymmetry
Is the spot asymmetrical?
If you draw an imaginary line through the middle of the spot, do the two halves look different? Healthy moles are usually symmetrical, while melanomas often have an uneven shape.
The ABCDE Guide to Melanoma
Empowering Communities Through Proactive Skin Health
At Mela Check, we believe health awareness should be accessible to all. Our skin scanning technology, paired with community education, provides the transparency and tools needed to foster health-conscious environments and promote long-term skin wellbeing everywhere.
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