Newcastle Jets players are preparing for more than football this summer. Jets players and staff have lined-up for pre-season skin checks with the Hunter Melanoma Foundation.
On Wednesday 11 September, Hunter Melanoma Foundation (HMF) and Dr Mike Reid, from the Calvary Mater Melanoma Unit, visited a Newcastle Jets training session to talk about sun safety and conduct melanoma skin checks.
Melanoma is the third most common cancer in Australian men and accounts for about 12% of all new cancers diagnosed. Australia and New Zealand have the highest incident of melanoma in the world. In the 1980s, the Hunter had the highest melanoma rate in Australia, but through the work of the Hunter Melanoma Foundation and others, the region now sits at number three.
As the warmer months approach, Hunter Melanoma Foundation continues its mission to defeat the incidence of melanoma in the Hunter by educating people about early detection and preventative behaviours.
Foundation Executive Director, Claudia Tolhurst, congratulated the Newcastle Jets in being proactive in the lead-up to the summer A-League competition.
“Playing sport and enjoying outdoor lifestyle is part of our country’s culture. Even if you are applying sunscreen, extended periods in the sun increases the risk of melanoma, making it important to make skin checks part of your regular health care routine,” Claudia said.
Melanoma does not discriminate and can be diagnosed in people of all ages and skin types. About 95 percent of melanomas are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. It is the most common cancer for the 15-39 age group and 1 in 14 men and 1 in 24 women will be diagnosed with a melanoma.
“Sun safe practices are the best way to prevent melanoma. Skin checks, at home and importantly, by professionals, are critical as is early detection and treatment of melanoma,” Claudia said.
The Hunter Melanoma Foundation is inviting others to be part of the 2019 – 2020 summer ‘HMF skin in the game’ initiative.
“Our mission is to reduce the number of people affected by melanoma in our region. We are keen to work with schools, sporting and community groups to help improve behaviours around prevention and getting regular skin checks,” said Claudia.
