SunLife Skin Cancer Care Centre

11/08/2026

UV exposure is an occupational hazard for anyone working outdoors and protection is everyone's responsibility.

☀️ Employers are responsible for implementing sun-safe policies and procedures.

☀️ Site supervisors and foremen are responsible for promoting and enforcing these measures.

☀️ Tradies are responsible for following sun-safe practices and using protective gear such as sunscreen, long-sleeved clothing, hats, sunglasses and shade whenever possible.

Protecting workers from harmful UV radiation isn't just good practice - it's part of Australia's workplace health and safety laws.

Are you a tradie, site supervisor, foreman or someone who employs tradies? Cancer Council Queensland offers online and in-person toolbox talks to help your workforce reduce their cancer risk.

Book a toolbox talk for your team here: https://resources.cancerqld.org.au/collections/uv-exposure-protection/products/work-outdoors-use-protection-every-day-digital-pdf.

11/08/2026

11/08/2026

Here's what to do about a skin spot

Most Australians will notice a new spot or mole at some point, but it can be difficult to know whether it's harmless or not.

The good news is that when skin cancer is detected early, treatment is often simpler and more successful. A simple way to remember what to look for is the SCAN Your Skin method:

S – Sore: A spot that is tender, repeatedly bleeds or breaks open.

C – Changing: A spot that changes in size, shape, colour or thickness.

A – Abnormal: A spot that looks different from others on your skin, that is not normal for you.

N – New: A new spot appearing on adult skin, particularly after the age of 40, or one that continues to grow.

If you have a spot with any of these changes that doesn’t resolve in 6 weeks, get it checked by a professional.

SunLife Skin Cancer Care Centre is a locally owned service dedicated to preventing, finding and treating skin cancers. You can book for a spot check or a thorough full skin examination with an experienced skin cancer doctor.

If you do have a skin cancer, it can be treated in the clinic without need for hospital referral in almost all cases. For patients at higher risk of melanoma, SunLife also offers advanced 3D Total Body Photography, providing a detailed record of your skin that helps detect subtle changes over time.

As published in Issue 919 My Weekly Preview

11/08/2026

Stay safe this winter

It’s that time of year again: the breeze is feeling cool and thermometer dips, jumpers are on and PJs are long!

It’s no surprise that fewer people think to check their skin for cancer in the colder weather.

Seeing changing spots late can lead to delayed diagnosis of skin cancer, meaning bigger treatments and more complications. Thankfully, it’s easy to stay safe this winter and get those skin cancers early.

SunLife Skin Cancer Care Centre advocates this 3-step approach:

> Self skin check

> Skin check with a Skin Cancer Doctor

> Photographic monitoring (where appropriate)

How often you do these depends on your risk. A self skin check takes just a few minutes. Look for anything Sore, Changing, Abnormal, or New that hasn’t resolved in 5-6 weeks.

Remember to look everywhere, including hard to see areas. Get concerning spots looked at promptly by an experienced skin cancer doctor.

A full skin check with a skin cancer doctor includes a risk assessment and ongoing management plan for you to follow. At your skin check, a dermatoscope is used to recognise patterns and clues to skin cancer that cannot be seen with the naked eye. This allows earlier detection and treatment.

The doctors at SunLife perform these examinations every day and have a wealth of experience in diagnosing and managing skin cancer.

If you are at high risk of melanoma, 3D Total Body Photography (TBP) is a comprehensive skin monitoring system available at SunLife. TBP is a tool to help identify changing lesions that may not otherwise have clear clues to melanoma.

The current Cancer Council guidelines say TBP should be considered for people with high melanoma risk, which would typically include those with many moles, a strong personal or family history of melanoma, or a history of repeated sunburns.

As published in Issue 917 My Weekly Preview

11/08/2026

Learning from the best in skin cancer medicine

SunLife Skin Cancer Care Centre staff believe that providing high-quality care means never standing still.

Skin cancer medicine continues to evolve, with new research, technologies and diagnostic techniques evolving every year.

Staying current with these developments is an important part of ensuring our patients receive care that reflects contemporary best practice.

Recently, all doctors from SunLife attended the Skin Cancer College of Australasia's annual conference, joining skin cancer practitioners from across Australia and New Zealand. It was an amazing opportunity to learn about the latest developments in skin cancer, while also sharing experiences with colleagues from around the country.

One of the standout topics this year was dermoscopy – the use of specialised "skin scopes", to examine skin lesions in greater detail. Internationally recognised experts shared their insights to identify subtle signs of skin cancer and melanoma that may otherwise go undetected.

By investing in ongoing education and professional development, SunLife doctors continue to bring the latest evidence, experience and best-practice approaches back to our patients on the Sunshine Coast.

As published in Issue 915 My Weekly Preview

11/08/2026

Treatment options and advice for sun-damaged skin

Sun-damaged skin is a common concern for many people on the Sunshine Coast.

Over time, sun exposure can lead to three main issues: skin symptoms such as dry, fragile, or scaly skin; an increased risk of skin cancer; and changes in skin colour including brown, red, or white blotches.

The good news is that consistent sun protection can significantly reduce further skin damage and lower skin cancer risk, regardless of previous exposure.

Try to plan outdoor activities during low UV periods. When the UV index is 3 or higher, use protective clothing, a broad-brim hat, SPF 30 or 50+ sunscreen, and seek shade where possible.

For skin that has already been damaged, there are medically recognised treatment options available. These treatments aim to reduce pre-cancerous sun-spots while also improving skin texture and symptoms.

Some treatments are performed in the clinic using a medicated cream and light therapy. These may help reduce scaly skin and improve overall skin appearance.

Home-based medical treatments are also available. Newer shorter treatment courses are more manageable for patients compared to previous options.

The first step is a professional assessment to determine whether treatment is appropriate. SunLife Skin Cancer Care Centre offers modern in-clinic treatment facilities, nursing support during home treatment programs, and follow-up care throughout the treatment process.

Visit sunlifeskincancercare.com.au or call 0754509808

As published in Issue 913 My Weekly Preview

26/05/2026

That's a wrap on an incredible weekend 👏

Our entire doctor team spent the weekend attending the 2026 Australasian Skin Cancer Congress, continuing to learn, collaborate, and stay up to date with the latest advances in skin cancer medicine and surgery.

We're proud to invest in ongoing education so we can continue providing the highest standard of care to our patients ☀️

Back in the clinic this week feeling inspired 🙌

26/05/2026

Understanding the threat of squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are the second-most common skin cancer in Australia after basal cell carcinomas (BCCs).

As always, Queensland sees well above the national average.

Typically, SCCs grow in sun-exposed skin. They can come out of nowhere, or from existing pre-cancerous sun spots, called actinic keratosis (AKs).

While many SCCs grow slowly, it is common for them to grow quickly as a tender lump on the skin.

Some SCCs are aggressive. They can spread under the skin, to lymph nodes and around the body.

Your risk of getting SCCs can be reduced by following good sun protection and treating any skin that has lots of AKs.

When SCCs occur, it is best to find them early and get them excised (cut out).

At SunLife Skin Cancer Care Centre, you can get a thorough skin check with risk assessment with an experienced skin cancer doctor. The centre provides treatment options for AKs that are supported by trained nursing staff.

Most SCCs and skin cancers needing excision can be done on-site, with no referral needed.

As published in Issue 911

20/05/2026

Your skin is always changing, but do you know what to look for?

Getting familiar with your skin can make it easier to notice when something isn’t quite right.

Regular skin checks can help spot changes early, when skin cancer is most treatable. Keep an eye out for anything new, changing or unusual, and don’t ignore spots that look different or won’t heal.

If you’ve noticed a change or it’s been a while since your last check, book an appointment with your GP or a skin specialist. Early detection could save your life.

Learn about what to look for here: cancer.org.au/cancer-information/causes-and-prevention/sun-safety/check-for-signs-of-skin-cancer.