The Master Painter Australia - April 2016 Vol. 1 | Page 19

Squamous Cell Carcinoma
(SCC) Facts
SCC accounts for about 30% of non-Melanoma skin cancers.
SCC usually appears on areas of the skin that are most often exposed
to the sun, such as the head, neck, hands, forearms or lower legs
SCCs often appears as a thickened, red, scaly lump.
SCC may look like a sore that hasn’t healed
SCCs tend to grow quickly over several weeks or months. It is
possible for SCCs to spread to other parts of the body – SCC on
the lips, ears, scalp or temples has a high risk of spreading
and should be seen by a doctor immediately.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) Facts
BCC makes up about 70% of non-Melanoma skin cancers.
BCC commonly develops on the head, neck and upper body
It may appear as a pearly lump or a scaly or dry area that is pale or pink in colour.
BCC may bleed and become inflamed, and dead tissue may slough off (ulcerate).
Some BCCs heal then break down again
BCCs tend to grow slowly and don’t usually spread to other parts of the body.
However, if BCC is left untreated or grows larger than 5 cm, it may grow
deeper into the skin and damage nearby tissue.

How do I know if I have Skin Cancer?

Did You Know?

Skin cancers don’t all look the same but there are some
signs to look out for. These signs include a spot that is
different from other spots on the skin, a spot, mole or
freckle that has changed in size, shape or colour, a sore that
bleeds or doesn’t heal or a new mole or freckle.

•

If your job requires you to work outside, tax
deductions are available for sun protection products.
Talk to your tax advisor or contact the Tax Office on 13
28 61 or visit www.ato.gov.au

•

UV radiation cannot be seen or felt. It can damage
your skin without you knowing

•

There is no such thing as windburn. The wind may
dry the skin but cannot burn it. What is described as
windburn is actually sunburn

•

Heat or high temperatures are not related to levels of
UV radiation. Temperature relates to the amount of
infrared present in sunlight, not UV radiation

•

Protect your skin when the UV Index is at 3 and
above. The Bureau of Meteorology issues the
SunSmart UV Alert whenever the UV Index is
forecast to reach 3 and above. The higher the
number, the stronger the levels of UV radiation and
the less time it takes for skin damage to occur. Extra
care should be taken between 10am and 3pm when
UV levels reach their peak.

Get to know your skin. Regular examinations of your skin
will help you notice changes and learn what is normal for
you. Don’t forget to look at all areas of your skin such as
the soles of your feet and on your scalp. See your General
Practitioner (GP) straight away if you see anything new or
different on your skin.
Finding and treating Skin Cancers early needs less invasive
treatment and provides a better outcome for you. Early
detection and treatment of Melanoma can save your life.

Protecting Outdoor Workers
Exposure to UV radiation has been recognised as an
Occupational Health and Safety hazard and employees
who work outside must be protected from its harmful
effects. Workplaces that employ outdoor workers have a
responsibility to develop and implement a sun protection
policy and provide ongoing training to support it. The key
components of a sun protection policy include providing
and maintaining appropriate clothing and equipment to
protect outdoor workers from the sun, the setting up of
systems of work to reduce the amount of time workers
spend in the sun and providing information, training and
supervision in consultation with employees regarding
prevention and early detection of skin cancer.

Thanks to Melissa Fagan of Melanoma Institute Australia for
her assistance with this article. Melanoma Institute Australia
is a not-for-profit organisation that relies on the generosity
of individuals, organisations and government funding to
continue its ground breaking work into this potentially
devastating cancer.

Melanoma Facts
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. It makes up only 5%
of all skin cancers but is responsible for 90% of skin cancer deaths.
Melanoma is the skin cancer that can kill you
Normal, healthy freckles or moles usually have a smooth edge and an even colour.
Melanoma often has an irregular edge or surface, and it may be blotchy and
brown, black, blue, red, white or light grey.
For men, the most common site for Melanoma is on the back
Left untreated, a Melanoma may spread deeper into the skin where
cancer cells can escape and be carried in lymph vessels or blood
vessels to other parts of the body.