Sun exposure warning as NSW’s melanoma hot spots revealed

Melanoma causes 500 preventable deaths every year in NSW and the state’s far north coast tops the list of 25 regions where it is most common across. See the list.

The sun, surf, sun and sand holiday destination of Ballina, Byron and Tweed Heads has a less desirable claim – Northern NSW tops the state for the highest incidence of melanoma.

In fact Northern NSW takes out the top seven local government areas for melanoma with Ballina, Lismore, Richmond Valley, Lismore, Kyogle, Clarence Valley and the Tweed identified in the top 10 hot spots.

Cancer Institute NSW has released the melanoma hot spot map to highlight the danger of overexposure to UV radiation from the sun as we enter the start of summer.

Melanoma is the most common cancer among young Australians and the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in all Australians.

The mid-north coast towns of Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Port Stephens also come in high but in Greater Sydney, the Sutherland Shire come in at number seven. And the northern beaches at number 18.

Ella Peers lost her mum to skin cancer and is imploring people to stay sun safe. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Like most kids growing up in coastal NSW, the beach was central to Ella Peers’ childhood.

Nippers on the weekend and surfing with her dad and big brother was a regular after school sport.

Despite wearing hats and rashies and sunscreen, the sun found spots that were unprotected.

“We lived on the beach and went on holiday to Noosa and Byron Bay, nippers on the weekend, and I’d go kayaking and I very much lived an outside childhood,” the 23-year-old said.

“I was diagnosed a month after my 21st birthday. I noticed a raised clear bump on my forehead. It was basal cell carcinoma.

“The dermatologist said it is from those moments you don’t know you’re in the sun, like sitting by a window or in the car.

Ella Peers had a basal cell carcinoma cut out when she was 21. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“There are days you don’t know but the reality is we are always in the sun.”

She already knew about the horrors of skin cancer because her mother was diagnosed with melanoma when she was 18.

Ella’s mum Amanda passed away in July this year at age 56, and now she wants everyone to know that the sun will target unprotected skin at any time in the year.

“Nothing prepares you for that. I just want a positive to come from this, I don’t want anyone’s reality to be like mine. Mum grew up at the beach at Copacabana. She said back then people used to put oil on themselves,” she said.

Nearly 70 per cent of young people aged 18-24 are failing to take the measures their parents grew up with seriously.

Professor Tracey O’Brien, chief cancer officer for NSW and CEO of the Cancer Institute NSW, said everyone was at risk of developing melanoma, regardless of where they lived.

“Most of the damage that contributes to melanoma and skin cancer happen in the early years of life, and our Arrows campaign is looking to target those 18-24 year old young adults who are not taking enough time to protect themselves," Professor O’Brien said.

"UV radiation is ever present and 95 per cent of skin cancers are caused by overexposure. Melanoma only needs to be a millimetre deep and can get into your blood and spread to other parts of your body.

Ella Peers with her mum, Amanda, who passed away in July from melanoma. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“So slip on protective clothing, slop on SPF 50, slap on a hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses. They are the add ones to Slip, Slop, Slap.

“Melanoma is deadly. In NSW alone, significant numbers will be diagnosed, over 5500, and sadly 500 of those will die and those deaths are preventable,” she said.

The new campaign focuses on the invisible but potentially lethal threat of UV radiation, illustrated through the use of arrows penetrating unprotected skin

NSW Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said, with summer now upon us, the map serves as a timely reminder to take simple protective measures when outdoors.

“Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, yet many of us are still not doing enough to reduce our skin cancer risk,” Ms Taylor said.