The slip, slop, slap message seems to be getting through reasonably well, but there is still evidence that many Australians don't use effective sun-blocking aids. Those who work outdoors, such as labourers, are more likely to develop skin cancer, according to the National Occupation Health and Safety Commission . Also, people with fair skin are at a much higher risk of developing a skin cancer as opposed to those with darker skin. The rate of skin cancer has increased by an average of 4.3 per cent in men and 1.8 per cent in women per year for the last 10 years according to a study carried out by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare . A sign that not all is well in the fight against skin cancer.
Skin cancer is caused predominantly by rays from the sun.
There are three main types of the skin cancer. They usually take months, even years to develop and, unlike melanomas, are less likely to affect other organs and, in turn, result in death. They are readily treatable. The last and most dangerous of skin cancers, also the least common, is the malignant melanoma. These occur as moles or sunspots and will grow in size.