Skin Cancer Clinic's - Early Detection & Treatment  - Brisbane Northside - Book a PDT Light Therapy Assessment today


Shining a Light on Skin Health

Top Skin Cancer Myths Debunked

There are numerous misconceptions surrounding skin cancer that can lead to misunderstandings and potentially harmful behaviours. Many people believe that only those with fair skin are at risk for skin cancer, but the truth is that anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of their skin tone.

UV exposure is one of the main causes of skin cancer, and it is important to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Squamous cell and basal cell carcinoma are two of the most common types of skin cancer, while melanoma is the most deadly. It is crucial to educate yourself about the truth about skin cancer and take steps to protect your skin.

 

Don't fall victim to the myths circulating about skin cancer. Instead, educate yourself about the risks of UV exposure and take steps to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays by reading this blog.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON MYTHS ABOUT SKIN CANCER?

Let us educate you on the truth about skin cancer and debunk some common myths

Myth: Tanning beds don’t cause skin cancer because they carefully regulate the UV exposure to keep it at a safe level

One prevalent myth is the belief that tanning beds are a safe way to achieve a natural tan without risking skin cancer. However, this is far from the truth. All tanning beds emit harmful UV rays that can damage your skin and increase the risk of developing skin cancer. While the aim of the tanning bed might be to allow tanning of the skin without burning your skin, this is not always the case, with many people experiencing UV burns whilst having tanning bed sessions. People with pale skin and light coloured eyes may use tanning beds in the hope to get a tan safely, however light skin types often and in some cases always burn on exposure to UV and never tan, and these skin types may fall victim to the promotional material that tanning solons use. 

Commercial solariums using tanning beds were banned in Australia in Jan 2015, however they are still commonly used in colder climates in Europe and North America where rates of skin cancer are rising due to the damage done to skin by commercial solariums. Private tanning beds and UV lamps are still used in homes around Australia, and the damage from these devices is similar to the commercial solariums.

Myth: Only fair-skinned individuals are susceptible to skin cancer

The reality is that individuals with all skin tones can develop various types of skin cancer, including melanoma. While skin type is one of the most important risk factors for skin cancer, with type 1 skin (pale skin that always burns and never tans) being the skin at greatest risk of skin cancer, all skin types can experience skin cancer.  Asian and dark skin types can experience skin cancer, but because they tend not to burn as easily as lighter skin types, they experience lower rates of skin cancer due to a lower number of sunburns over their lifetime. Darker skin types can experience melanoma on acral areas (palms and soles of feet) at similar rates to lighter skin types, as these melanoma are not related directly to sun exposure or sunburn.  An example of this is the well publicised death of Bob Marley at age 36 from melanoma.  He experienced a melanoma under his toenail, and passed away in 1981 from metastatic melanoma after the melanoma spread to his brain, liver and lungs.

Myth: Sunbaking is safe if you apply sunscreen

Understanding the impact of ultraviolet radiation (UV) on skin cancer development is essential. Prolonged sun exposure can significantly increase the risk of skin cancer by damaging skin cells and triggering mutations that can lead to cancerous growths. Therefore, it is crucial to protect your skin from harmful UV rays through various sun protection measures, such as wearing sunscreen, seeking shade, and wearing protective clothing. Sun protection plays a vital role in reducing the risk of skin cancer and promoting overall skin health. Sunscreens reduce the risk of skin cancer by reducing the amount of (UV) that your skin is exposed to, however it does not reduce it completely, and for a variety of reasons, sunbakers often experience sunburn despite using sunscreen. 

Sunburn can occur in sunbakers despite sunscreen for a variety of reasons, including inadequate sunscreen application (inadequate application may provide reduced protection), applying sunscreen immediately before sun exposure (most sunscreens work optimally after twenty minutes absorption time), missing parts of your skin (its hard to apply sunscreen to your back if you don’t have a helper!)  and applying sunscreen only after you feel the heat of the sun (hint - you’re already sunburnt by then!).  Many sunbakers look at UV readings to try to optimise there UV exposure, rather than using UV measurements as a way to avoid the most dangerous times to be in the sun. Use sunscreen whenever UV readings are above 2 and avoid sun exposure if possible when UV readings are high or extreme

Myth: People with darker skin do not need sunscreen

Sunscreen is a crucial tool in preventing skin damage and reducing the risk of skin cancer for individuals of all skin tones.   Regularly reapplying sunscreen is also key in maintaining skin protection throughout the day and reducing the risk of skin cancer development. Studies have shown in a trial that was conducted in the Sunshine Coast of QLD that daily sunscreen application reduced the risk of the development of solar keratosis (premalignant change) and skin cancers over a year long trial. Sunscreen application also reduces the rate of accelerated aging effects that happens from prolonged sun exposure. So even if you manage not to get skin cancers, perhaps because you have a darker skin type that protects you to some degree, you will experience damage from the sun if you don’t do everything you can to reduce sun damage. Those freckles that you can get from sun exposure in your youth can turn in to solar lentigos (brown patches) and over time these can become seborrhoeic keratosis (seb Ks) which are thickened  brown or black patches on your skin, not a look that most people are keen to have on their faces as they get older!

Myth: Young people don’t get skin cancers

Age is one of the most important risk factors for skin cancers, because as we age, we have more accumulated sun exposure, sun burns and more time for the DNA damage in our skin cells from UV radiation to mutate further until skin cancer develops.  We also have a decreased ability as we age for our immune system to destroy those abnormal cells from past sun exposure which are mutating into skin cancers.  Our immune system ages with us and just like lung function, and muscle strength, it experiences a gradual degradation as we age, and with it our risk of skin cancers goes up.  However, most of the sun damage in our lifetime is done in our youth, when we are most likely to be involved in outdoor sports and activities such as sunbaking, which can produce damage to our skin which lasts a lifetime and can directly result in skin cancers decades later.  But its also possible for young people to experience skin cancers much sooner, in weeks or months after sunburn, rather than decades.  Skin cancer especially melanoma is one of the most common causes of cancer death in people under the age of 40, and is the most preventable form of cancer death in any age group, through sun protection and regular skin checks in high risk individuals

WHAT ARE THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SKIN DAMAGE AND SKIN CANCER?

Sunburn is a clear indicator of skin damage and can significantly increase the risk of developing skin cancer. The relationship between skin damage and the onset of skin cancer is well-established, highlighting the importance of sun protection and skin health practices. Various risk factors, such as sun exposure and genetic predispositions, contribute to an individual's risk of developing skin cancer, underscoring the need for regular skin screenings and early detection measures.

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF UV RADIATION?

Discussing the importance of sun protection factor (SPF) in preventing skin damage is crucial. SPF helps shield the skin from harmful UV rays and reduces the risk of skin cancer. Additionally, exploring alternative methods to protect the skin from UV radiation, such as seeking shade and wearing protective clothing, can further enhance skin protection. Regardless of skin color or skin type, sun protection is essential for everyone to prevent skin cancer and maintain optimal skin health.

Fees and Additional Information

Consultation Fees

  • Private Standard Consultation: $130 - Medicare Rebate: $42.85
  • Private Long Consultation: $170.00 - Medicare Rebate: $82.90
  • Concession card holder standard consultation: $80 - Medicare Rebate: $42.85
  • Concession card holder long consultation: $140 - Medicare Rebate: $82.90

Saturday fees (Toombul Clinic Only)

  • Private Standard Consultation: $160 - Medicare Rebate: $42.85
  • Private Long Consultation: $200.00 - Medicare Rebate: $82.90
  • Concession card holder reduced fees: not applicable during these periods.

Additional Fee Information

  • DVA Gold and White Card approved - Bulk Billed (not applicable after hours and Saturdays - full fee applies).
  • Biopsy Fees start from $50.00
  • Excision fees vary by procedure and you will be informed by the Dr at your appointment.
  • Pricing as of the 1/7/2024 and subject to change without notice.

Additional Clinic Information

Please note: We do accept cash payments at this clinic. Surcharges may apply to EFTPOS and Credit cards payments.

Parking and accessibility:

  • Parking is free and wheelchair accessible.
  • Disabled parking spots also available.

Please note: If you are unable to attend your appointment, please contact our office as early as possible so that the appointment can be offered to our waiting list.

All Clinic Opening Hours

  • Toombul:
    Mon - Fri: 8:00am - 5:00pm
    Sat: 8:00am - 1:00pm
  • Mitchelton:
    Mon, Wed, Fri: 8:00am - 5:00pm;
    Tues, Thurs: 8:00am - 5:30pm
  • Warner:
    Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Melanoma Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer Clinic Toombul

9 Parkland Street,
Nundah, QLD, 4012
07 3256 6766

Skin Cancer Clinic Mitchelton

Unit 1, 23 Blackwood Street,
Mitchelton, QLD, 4053
07 3855 8500

Skin Cancer Clinic Warner

1405 Old North Road,
Warner, QLD, 4500
07 3106 1340