Hi, my name is Katlyn. As a mum of four kids, I take their health very seriously. However, I also take my own parenting philosophies seriously. Because of that, I have always attempted to find doctors and health care providers who resonate with my style. That includes everything from their thoughts on how often to prescribe medication to how they speak to my children. If you want tips on finding the perfect healthcare provider, please explore these posts. They contain everything I have learned over the years, and I hope my experiences can really help other mums and families! Take Care, Katlyn.
Choosing a Health Care Provider Who Matches Your Parenting Philosophies
Know What You're Looking For: Skin Cancer Prevention & Identification
Zoey Olson
Australia holds the dubious title of having the highest rate of skin cancer in the world—something that is shared with neighbouring New Zealand. There's a certain unhappy logic to this, largely due to the large Caucasian population in both countries since fair skinned people are more likely to be affected by skin cancer, and all that glorious sunshine.
Fortunately, increased knowledge about the dangers of skin cancer has led to more and more people are being checked. This also means that already high survival rates are becoming even higher. But what are some of the ways you can detect skin cancer? And better yet, how do you minimise your chances of being affected?
Prevention
It's important to be vigilant about skin cancer, and a large part of this involves wearing sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF), every day. You should also wear a wide-brimmed hats, and wear light clothing that covers exposed skin wherever possible. You don't need to be covered from head to toe, but maybe a lightweight long sleeved shirt is a better choice than a singlet. Protecting your skin should be a habit that everyone gets into, since prevention is always better than cure.
Know Your Body
Perhaps the most important tool you have when it comes to skin cancer prevention is to know your body. Once a month, check your skin by standing naked in front a of a mirror. Do this in a well-lit room, and you can use a small handheld mirror to check your back. Carefully check your entire body for new or changing moles, even on parts of your body that are not ordinarily exposed to the sun, since a mole can form anywhere.
For a more involved examination, you could also visit a skin cancer clinic. The staff know exactly what to look for, and might catch something you could have easily missed. Visiting a skin cancer clinic once or twice a year can be an excellent idea for added protection.
Know What You're Looking For
Moles are common. Most people have them, and the vast majority of them are harmless. What you need to look out for when you examine your skin are new moles, or existing moles that have begun to change in size and shape. Of course, you don't want to be paranoid about it, but it's really important to know what you're looking for. Should you find a new mole that is asymmetrical, uneven in colour, or growing, then you should visit your doctor as soon as possible.
Early detection is vital when it comes to skin cancer, so always take the time to check your skin. Of course, it's equally vital to protect your skin against the sun, so hopefully you'll won't ever be bothered by skin cancer.
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