What is UV radiation and does it cause skin cancer?

The primary cause of skin cancer is exposure to the sun. The sun’s rays contain 3 types of UV radiation: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVA and UVB cause damage to the skin, and contribute towards skin cancer and premature ageing. You do not need to get sunburn to damage your skin from UV radiation.

UV radiation is strong in Melbourne, even until late Autumn. Cloudy, overcast days can quite often be misleading, and still have high UV levels that can damage your skin. The Sunsmart Website/App and Bureau of Meteorology have daily recommendations on when sun protection needs to be used throughout the day.

Limiting your exposure to UV radiation can reduce the risk of skin cancer. Covering up with hats, protective clothing and sunscreen is crucial to preventing skin cancer.

Early detection of skin cancers is the key to cure. A comprehensive skin cancer check is quick and painless, and allows detection of skin cancers in the early stages.