Winter has well and truely arrived here in Western Australia. Perth has seen some chilly starts to the day and we’ve had some long awaited rain fall. 

As I write this newsletter the temperature is currently 11 degrees celsius with blue skies and the sun is shining beautifully, as it often does here in the West. We have a unique and diverse climate here in WA. That is understandable considering our state makes up almost half of Australia. 

Today on this chilly morning, the time is 9:40am and the UV index is currently 2 which is low. Today the UV index is predicted to reach 4 between 11am and 3pm which is Moderate and requires the use of sun protection measures while performing activities outside for extended periods of time. This is today’s forecast for Perth, but I know many of my skin screening participants live in the Pilbara, Kimberly, Gascoyne, and the Mid West where the UV index is most often high or extreme during the day, even though it’s winter.

It is known that our fit, healthy, outdoor lifestyles come with a down side as the research shows people that participate in outdoor sports experience high level intermittent ultra violet radiation(UVR) and I bet you didn’t know that surfers, swimmers walkers and runners are 120 times more likely to develop skin cancer. You can’t see or feel UV radiation and it can be high, even on cool cloudy days.  Many of my skin screening participants are ocean swimmers, surfers, runners and avid walkers, so my message is don’t forget to stay vigilant with your sun protection measures even though it’s winter and the mornings are chilly. 

Our country has the world’s highest incidence of malignant Melanoma per capita. Skin cancer grows on your skin year round, make sure you check your own skin and if you notice anything new, changing or have a spot that doesn’t heal, come and see me for a skin check.