This winter, we know what to do to stay well.
The good news is, getting your flu shot, and staying up-to-date with your COVID-19
vaccinations, will help you, and the people around you, stay well.
Along with simple things like staying home if you’re unwell, these routine winter vaccinations
can protect what’s most important to you.
You can get both vaccines at the same time.
Book now with your pharmacist or doctor.
Go to betterhealth.vic.gov.au to find out how to stay well this winter
With summer now over and winter well and truly on the way don’t become complacent with your sun protection. You need to take sun protection measures all throughout the year, even on cloudy and overcast days.
Skin cancers and sun damage are caused by UV rays, not the temperature. UV radiation causes sunburn, cell damage in the skin and skin cancer. It really doesn’t matter what the temperature is as the UV level on a cold day could still be as high as it is on a sunny day. UV is present all year round.
Make sure you check the recommended sun protection times and UV level rating on any weather app, or download the Cancer Councils SunSmart app.
When the UV rating is 3 or above, sun protection is recommended.
Sun damage and skin cancer is easily preventable with the proper sun protection measures. It is one of the most preventable cancers. 92% of Melanomas are diagnosed in people over the age of 40, with almost 2000 Australians dying from this almost preventable disease each year.
Don’t become a statistic. Check the UV rating. Protect your skin. Be SunSmart.
Did you know, twice as many men as women die from melanoma each year in Australia? Fortunately, most skin cancer can be prevented by using good sun protection when the UV level is 3 or above.
When you cover things they last longer. Same goes for you and your skin.
Men are great at protecting their family and possessions like their BBQ, however, often forget that they too need to be covered up and protected. That’s why our latest campaign is calling on you to use sun protection, and ensure you are around for your family’s future.
As Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, and it is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia, make sure you protect your skin. At its most aggressive, skin cancer can spread to internal organs like the lungs and brain and become deadly quicker than you think.
There are five forms of sun protection.
It’s never too late to improve your sun protection, whether you’re six months or 60 years old.
You can reduce your risk by using all five forms of sun protection. The good news is if you cover things, they last longer. Same goes for you and your skin at any age! Watch our sun protection video below and Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, and Slide.
Noticed a change on your skin? Don’t put off getting it checked.
The sooner skin cancer is found, the easier it is to treat. If you notice anything new or changing on your skin, don’t put it off and go to your GP immediately. Finding skin cancer early gives you the best chance of survival and reduces the need for invasive treatment and surgery. So, get to know your skin and what’s normal for you.
If you find anything new or changing, don’t delay, see your GP immediately.
Melanoma March is a family-friendly walk – usually about 4km – held in 23 different locations around Australia during the month of March. Most routes are wheelchair and pram accessible, and dog-friendly.*
However, it is so much more than a community walk!
Melanoma March is about taking steps together to HONOUR those we’ve lost and SUPPORT those impacted by melanoma. It’s also about creating change, by increasing AWARENESS and by FUNDRAISING for research, so we reach zero deaths from melanoma.
Melanoma March 2023 will be raising vital funds for Australia’s first clinical trial into supportive care for advanced melanoma patients.
The trial aims to ensure the emotional needs of patients experiencing anxiety about their melanoma recurring or progressing are addressed as part of their clinical care. We want to understand how to best support someone living with a melanoma diagnosis and improve their wellbeing with timely access to the most appropriate supportive care services.
Melanoma March has a proud history of bringing communities together to SUPPORT loved ones, RAISE FUNDS for research, and RAISE AWARENESS about melanoma.
This year we’re also asking our passionate Melanoma March community to advocate to STOP THE GLAMOURISATION OF TANNING.
A tan is skin cells in trauma, and the glamourisation of tanning in advertising, social media and media is promoting a behaviour which we know kills.
February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month.
The Ballarat Surgicentre hosted a ‘Teal Tea’ for all staff to enjoy for the week of February 20th to 24th.
A big THANKYOU to everyone for getting involved, donating and raising funds for Ovarian Cancer Australia.
The Ballarat Surgicentre raised a total of $159.70 for this great cause.
Amazing effort by all.
February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month with National Teal Ribbon day Wednesday February 22nd.
Everyday in Australia 4 women are diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. Every year around 1800 Australian women are diagnosed. Ovarian cancer is the 8th most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian women, yet it is the most lethal. Currently there is no early detection test, only exploratory surgery can detect and diagnose Ovarian Cancer. More research needs to be done to be able to detect and diagnose Ovarian Cancer in the early stages without exploratory surgery.
The Ballarat Skin Cancer Centre is raising money for Ovarian Cancer Australia starting the week of Monday 20th February through to Friday 24th February.
We will have some merchandise available at reception if you wish to pop in and make a donation. All donations are greatly appreciated.
You will also find information on your risk factors and the symptoms to look out for in reception.
Thank you for helping us raise money for this worthy cause.
Did you know ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer?
Fortunately, most skin cancers can be prevented by using good sun protection when the UV is 3 and above.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a type of energy produced by the sun and some artificial sources, such as arc welders and solariums.
The sun’s UV is the main cause of skin cancer. Too much UV exposure also causes sunburn, tanning, premature ageing and eye damage.
You can see the sun’s light. You can feel the sun’s heat. But you can’t see or feel the sun’s UV radiation. UV can reach you directly from the sun. It can also be reflected off different surfaces and scattered by particles in the air.
Your senses cannot detect UV radiation, so you won’t notice it is all around you and you won’t notice any skin damage until it has been done.
The UV Index
The World Health Organization’s Global Solar UV Index measures UV levels on a scale from 0 (Low) to 11+ (Extreme). Sun protection is recommended when UV levels are 3 (Moderate) or higher.
The UV level is affected by a number of factors including the time of day, time of year, cloud cover, altitude, location and surrounding surfaces.
The UV Index and the sun protection times
The sun protection times are issued when UV levels are forecast to be 3 or higher. At this level there is a risk of skin damage for most Australians.
You can find the sun protection times for your location:
The SunSmart Global UV app puts sun protection advice at your fingertips.
Access free daily sun protection times as well as a seven-day weather & UV forecast based on your location.
To download the free SunSmart Global UV app visit the SunSmart website Sunsmart website
Source: 
Happy New Year, welcome to 2023 and summer! Along with a new year comes the higher temperatures so we must all remember to be sun smart and this includes wearing a hat while out in the sun.
To protect the skin from solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation, Cancer Council recommends wearing a hat that offers protection to the face, back of the neck, eyes and ears when UV levels reach 3 and above, in Alpine areas or if spending extended time outdoors.
So which hats are best? Broad-brimmed, bucket (with deep crown) and legionnaire-style hats all provide adequate protection from UV radiation, providing they fit correctly. Baseball or peaked caps and sun visors are not recommended as they leave the ears, side of the face and the back of the neck exposed – common areas for skin cancers.
Always wear a hat with other forms of sun protection: shade, clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen.
The Ballarat Surgicentre participated in the Fight Cancer Foundations footy colours day at the end of September this year.
It was a great event with staff and patients involved.
The Fight Cancer Foundation has managed to raise more than $575,000 for 2022!
An enormous effort by everyone involved for this great cause.
With two in three Australians being diagnosed with Skin Cancer within their lifetime, this shows we need to do more to promote proper sun protection.
November 20th – 26th is the Cancer Councils National Skin Cancer Action week.
Research shows that many Australians, particularly men, aren’t using all 5 forms of sun protection.
Over exposure to UV radiation causes 95% of Melanomas. Sadly, around 2000 Australians will die each year from this disease, and it is estimated that almost twice as many men as women will die from melanoma this year alone.
When the UV level is 3 or above, sun protection is required. Be sure to use all 5 forms of sun protection.
