Our climate on the Gold Coast is one of the best in the world, allowing us to enjoy an outdoor lifestyle all year round. Unfortunately, one downside of living in paradise, is that we have the highest skin cancer rate in the world. Approximately, two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they are 70. Non-melanoma skin cancer is more common in men, with almost double the incidence compared to women.

Skin cancers don’t just appear overnight. They can take months or even years to develop.

The sooner a skin cancer is identified and treated, the better your chance of avoiding surgery or, in the case of a serious melanoma or other skin cancer, potential disfigurement or even death. The majority of skin cancers in Australia are caused by exposure to UV radiation in sunlight.

Our skin is more likely to be settled and trauma free in the winter. By that, we mean it’s less likely that you’ve just spent your day at the beach or walking around in the strong midday sun. This makes it easier for your skin and any existing moles to be checked. Also, skin cancers don’t just appear overnight. They can take months or even years to develop. So, sun damage from a previous summer may not actually catch up with you until much later.