Cancer Council Victoria urges men to check their skin, even in winter

Victorian men are being urged to look out for these signs as worrying data finds males are twice as likely to lose their life to melanoma compared to women.

Men are being urged to get checked if they noticed any changes, both on their skin and their body. Picture: David Caird

An alarming number of Victorian men are missing the early signs of deadly skin cancers such as melanoma.

New data from the 2022 Summer Sun Protection Survey, funded by the Cancer Councils of Australia, shows just 19 per cent of Victorian men surveyed had checked their skin in the past year.

Coinciding with the start of Men’s Health Week today, the skin cancer prevention program SunSmart is urging men to use this time to focus on their health and also do a skin check.

It comes as data from the 2021 Victorian Cancer Registry found there were over 2800 melanomas diagnosed for that year, the majority of which were in men.

A survey found 19 per cent of Victorian men checked their skin in the past year. Picture: David Caird

Cancer Council Victoria chief Todd Harper says men are twice as likely to lose their life to melanoma compared to women.

“This is because of lifestyle habits including spending more time outdoors but also being less likely to seek medical advice if they notice changes,” Mr Harper said.

“Men aren’t as vigilant with their health so we do need some encouragement to do those sensible things like checking skin and visiting the doctor.

“With melanoma we know that’s an issue because of the data that is telling us men aren’t as good at going for a check-up if something is not right.”

Mr Harper said skin checks were needed all year round.

“That includes winter because we are covering up more so we don’t necessarily check ourselves or notice when something is not quite right,” he said.

Men are being urged to focus on their health and get a skin check.

Mr Harper says the demographic where skin cancer is increasing is in the middle aged to older male category.

“This is the generation who didn’t grow up with SunSmart so many have not had that protection,” he said.

“There is also the rural demographic, men working on the farm and outdoors, who are also at increased risk.”

Mr Harper urged men to get checked if they noticed any changes, both on their skin and their body.

“Be alert to things that don’t feel right, any changes in your body, and don’t be slow or reluctant to talk to a health care provider,” he said.

Mr Harper said this was critical with skin cancer because it can turn nasty in a very short time.

“We would really like to see mates looking out for mates when it comes to skin checks, too,” he said.

“It is a thing we can do out of friendship, out of respect for our friends. It is one of the great things we can do for each other.”

The Victorian Cancer Registry has also found that since the coronavirus pandemic melanoma is the second highest missed form of cancer.

Victorian dermatologist Dr Edward Upjohn from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre said general practice and family doctors have skin cancer on their radar and want to support patients to find this type of cancer early.

“For anyone that notices changes to their skin like new spots, changes in colour size or appearance, the first step is to call your local practice and book an appointment,” Dr Upjohn said.

“In men, melanoma is more commonly found on their back and other parts of their trunk which requires people to proactively check that area using a mirror or getting a partner or friend to check.”

For more visit sunsmart.com.au/skin-cancer/checking-for-skin-cancer