Retirement Life
18 October 2024

Monitor your moles - early detection saves lives!

October is Melanoma Awareness Month – so consider this our public service announcement to you: Don’t forget your annual spot check!


Early detection is key

Getting your moles checked regularly is one of the most important things you can do to safeguard your health, especially since NZ holds the grim distinction of having the highest rate of melanoma in the world.

 

As Andrea Newland, Chief Executive of Melanoma New Zealand, stresses: “Skin cancer is by far the most common cancer in this country, with 8 out of every 10 cancers being diagnosed as skin cancer. But melanoma can be preventable, and if detected and treated early enough, is almost always curable.”


Risks grow as we age

Older adults are particularly at risk due to the cumulative effect of sun exposure over their lifetimes. As the skin ages, it becomes more susceptible to damage from UV radiation, increasing the likelihood of developing melanoma.

 

This is something retiree Delwyn knows all too well. When Melanoma NZ’s spot check van visited her retirement village she and her husband initially weren’t going to bother. But thankfully they did.

 

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“I’d had this particular mole for about 5 years, but because it was on the back of my leg it was hard to see, and I didn’t realise that it had changed. [The nurse] probably saved my life that day,” Delwyn is quoted as saying on Melanoma NZ’s website.

 

Look out for a spot check van near you

To aid in early detection, Melanoma New Zealand offers free skin cancer spot checks nationwide. These checks are conducted by a dedicated Nurse Educator who travels the country, providing education and awareness. You don’t need an appointment – spot checks are on a first come, first served basis in a private and friendly setting.

 

During these checks the nurse looks at up to three spots with a dermatoscope (a skin surface microscope) – so it’s easy and doesn’t hurt. More often than not, the nurse is able to reassure people there is nothing to worry about, but she also does sometimes find some spots of concern (such as a suspected melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, or squamous cell carcinoma) – and so she will guide a person what to do next about that.

 

Thorough full-body checks still gold standard

It's important to note that while free spot checks are great, they don’t replace a full-body skin examination by your GP, dermatologist, or plastic surgeon. Regular, thorough skin checks are still the gold standard for catching melanoma early.

 

“Look for a spot, freckle or mole that is new or that has changed in colour, shape, or size, looks different from others (an ‘ugly duckling’), is sore, itchy or bleeds, or is firm, growing or becomes raised quickly. If you have a spot, freckle or mole you are concerned about, you should see a [health professional] without delay,” Andrea says.

 

Prevention is better than cure

By taking proactive steps to protect your skin, you can significantly reduce the risk of melanoma. Here are some key tips to reduce your risk:

  • Use sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, even on cloudy days. Reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating.
  • Wear protective clothing: Long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses can help shield your skin from the sun’s rays.
  • Seek shade: Avoid direct sunlight during peak hours, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  • Avoid tanning beds: Tanning beds emit UV radiation that can increase your risk of skin cancer.
  • Regular skin checks: Perform monthly self-examinations to check for new or changing moles. Schedule annual skin exams with a healthcare provider.

 

For more information and resources, including where the spot check van is stopping next, visit: Melanoma New Zealand.

 

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Photo of Vanessa Glennie
Written by:

Vanessa Glennie

Vanessa is Head of Communications at Lifetime Retirement Income. She’s an experienced investment writer, having spent more than a decade writing about financial markets in the global fund management industry.

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