There isn’t just one kind of skin cancer - there are several, and they behave differently.

• Melanoma: The most serious and potentially life-threatening form. Around two-thirds of melanomas appear as new moles, while the remaining third arise from changes in existing ones.

• Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): The most common type. These spots are usually pink, pale or scaly, and may itch, bleed, or crust.

• Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): Typically rough, red or crusted patches or nodules that don’t heal. SCCs can spread if ignored.

“One of the biggest myths is that all skin cancers are brown,” Dr Claydon explains. “Some are pink, some red, and some are skin-coloured. What matters is change.”

A Full Body MoleMap is like a snapshot in time - it records the current state of your moles and gives you a baseline to compare against.

‍
Those with risk factors - fair skin, sunburns or sunbed use, family or personal history of skin cancer, , lots of moles, or outdoor hobbies or jobs - should be checked every 6–12 months. “Even if you’re not high-risk, get that first scan done,” says Dr Clayton. “It makes it so much easier to recognise change later. And if it has been a while since you last had a skin check, it may be time for an update to pick up any changes.  

When caught early, melanoma survival rates exceed 90 percent. Once it spreads deeper, treatment becomes more complicated and survival rates drop steeply - so early detection truly matters.

Choosing the Right Protection

In our region, SPF 50+ broad-spectrum is the gold standard. It blocks around 98 percent of UVB rays, while SPF 30 blocks about 97 percent. “Unfortunately, we’re not very good at putting it on,” Dr Claydon says. "We don’t use enough,  and don’t reapply often enough which can really reduce the protection offered. “Go for 50 - it gives you a safety margin.”

Apply generously 20 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours - or immediately after swimming or sweating. And don't forget to apply it to all skin not covered by clothing, including legs and feet.  

UVA Through Windows

Many people don’t realise that you can get sun damage while driving or sitting near a window. Glass blocks UVB (the rays that burn) but not UVA (the ones that age skin and can contribute to some cancers).

There’s a well-known photo of a truck driver whose face aged unevenly - the window-side skin is deeply wrinkled compared to the shaded side. “It’s a dramatic reminder,” says Dr Claydon, “that UVA is just as important to protect against.”

Makeup with SPF - Helpful but Not Enough

Makeup containing SPF is a great bonus but not a substitute. To achieve the labelled SPF, you’d need to apply an extremely thick layer.

“Put sunscreen on for protection and makeup on for looks,” Dr Claydon advises. “If it happens to contain SPF, that’s a bonus.”

‍

True sun safety is about layering defences - not relying on one product.

Time of Day

Avoid being outdoors when the UV index peaks (roughly 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Early-morning or late-afternoon activities are safer - and more comfortable.

Protective Clothing

Modern UPF 50+ clothing makes covering up easy. Fabrics are lightweight, quick-drying, and breathable, ideal for the beach, hiking or sport.

“A hat is fantastic,” Dr Claydon says, “but it only gives about SPF 4 on the tip of your nose. You still need sunscreen.”

Choose wide-brimmed hats that shade your face, ears and neck - baseball caps simply don’t cut it.

Combining Protection

Clothing + sunscreen + shade = maximum safety. Add sunglasses for your eyes and the delicate skin around them.

There’s really no such thing as safe UV exposure - but there are safer ways to get it.

We all need some sunlight for vitamin D, yet in New Zealand the sun is so strong that most fair skinned people get enough in just a few minutes in summer, even whilst wearing sunscreen. If you have darker skin, a low vitamin D  level or a history of skin cancer, you may need to  increase your dietary vitamin D intake or take a supplement. This is safer than relying on longer sun exposure

Every bit of UV exposure accumulates over your lifetime. The less you can add to that total, the better.

If there’s one message for parents, it’s this: sunburn in childhood leaves lasting scars. A single blistering burn before 20 can double or triple the risk of melanoma later in life.

“Kids learn from watching you,” Dr Claydon says. “If you model good sun behaviour, they’ll follow.”

Start early - hats, long-sleeved swimwear, sunscreen before school and sport. For babies under six months, avoid direct sun entirely and use shade instead.

Teenagers can be tricky. Dr Clayton suggests  challenging the glamourisation of tanning, modelling some self-love for your natural skin colour and appealing to vanity: talk about how UV causes premature ageing and sun spots. “Sometimes that message lands faster than the health one,” she laughs.

Because skin cancer is so common in Australia and New Zealand, our region is at the forefront of global innovation.

• UPF fabrics: New technology has created light, cool clothing that provides full protection.

• Next-generation sunscreens: No more chalky pastes - today’s products are clear, gentle and water-resistant.

• Advanced treatments: Immunotherapy and targeted therapies are giving hope to patients with advanced melanoma.

“We can be proud,” says Dr Claydon. “Australasia isn’t just affected by skin cancer - we’re leading the world in how to fight it.”

Your skin is your largest organ - and your lifelong companion. Protecting it doesn’t mean hiding from the sun; it means being smarter in it.

• Know your SCAN signs.

• Use SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen every day.

• Wear UPF clothing and wide-brim hats.

• Get a baseline Full Body MoleMap and follow up as recommended.

“You’ve only got one skin for life,” says Dr Claydon. “Look after it - it’s your best outfit.”