Men more likely to be treated for skin cancer

Medibank has released data showing last year it covered more than 16,000 hospital admissions for skin cancer operations, with men accounting for 58 per cent of cases.

Appearance Medical & Day Centre’s Tom Crawford noted Medibank’s data would only account for a portion of cases investigated and treated by the health industry each year.

However, Medibank’s data on the proportion of men with skin cancer appeared consistent with other numbers, Dr Crawford said.

Dr Crawford said his male patients were likelier to have more progressed cancers than women because they often had less regular check-ups. They were also less likely to raise concerns about changes they noticed.

Men were also more likely to get skin cancer because of work or lifestyle factors.

“You don’t see as many females working in the traditional trades, where they are more likely to get that environmental exposure,” Dr Crawford said.

Medibank’s chief medical officer Linda Swan said skin cancer could largely be prevented by following simple sun protection rules like wearing protective clothing and applying a broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen.

“It’s important to remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more frequently if you’ve been exercising or swimming,” Dr Swan said.

Dr Crawford said while environmental factors like sunshine could be attributed to the majority of cases, there were other reasons people could develop skin cancer.

Skin cancer could be more likely in those with a genetic predisposition, he said.

“People can also get skin cancer if they have been exposed to other illnesses, for example kidney disease. And there are links between skin cancer and certain medications.”

Dr Crawford said everyone over 40 should make a rule to have a check-up every year.

“That interval between check-ups might be open to debate but it is easier to remember to do it every year than anything else,” he said.

Dr Crawford said adults of any age needed to act if they noticed something strange.

“If you find something that concerns you, you need to have it assessed. It’s as simple as that,” he said.