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.

Did you know?

• Of 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 1430 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
  • depressed immunity
  • a first degree relative who’s had melanoma
  • a history of melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancer
  • 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. Most Trauma insurance covers for skin cancers like melanoma, making it ideal for the people of this sunburned country.

For more information about Trauma cover, contact us via our contact us page or call us direct on 07 3806 5222.

 Source:  CommInsure NewsFlash / November 2011