Melanoma - The dark side of summer

As temperatures and UV levels rise towards summer, sunburn and skin cancer climb up our 'worry lists' - and for good reason: excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, melanoma is Australia's fourth most common cancer.

So it comes as good news that recent studies have found four new genes associated with skin cancer which may lead to improved diagnosis and treatment. The studies, conducted by GenoMEL Consortium and Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR), also improve the prospect of identifying people at increased risk of developing melanoma so they can take action to minimise their chance of developing it in the first place.

Did you know?

• Off all cancers, melanoma makes up 9.5% of all cancers, with more than 10,300 cases diagnosed annually.
• The risk of being diagnosed by age 85 is 1 in 15 for men and 1 in 24 for women.
• In 2008, there were 1,430 deaths from melanoma.
• Melanoma risk increases with UV exposure - particularly with sunburn, and especially during childhood,
• The chance of getting melanoma rises for people with:

                        - increased numbers of unusual moles
                        - depresses immunity
                        - a first degree relative who's had melanoma
                        - a history of melanoma or non-melanoma skin caner
                        - fair skin, freckles, light eye colouring, light or red hair and burn easily

As well as slip, slop, slapping, it's important to cover ourselves against illnesses like melanoma by having comprehensive trauma insurance. Trauma Insurance offers cover for skin caners like melanoma, making it ideal for the people of this sunburned country.