Melanoma Awareness

May is Melanoma Awareness Month at Pryme and around the globe, and this month we’d like to take the opportunity to raise awareness about Melanoma and other skin cancers that are a leading cause of mortality in Australia.

Melanoma is a cause close to our heart, because it’s one of the biggest threats to Australian workers, particularly those in the construction industry. But it’s also one of the most preventable cancers, so we’d like to share a few simple steps you can take to reduce the risk to you and your workers, and to keep more Australians safe from cancer.

Getting regular skin checks

Experts recommend checking your own skin at least every three months, which makes it more likely that you’ll notice changes to your skin and moles before they’ve become problematic. They also recommend having your skin checked by a skin care specialist at least once a year, because they’re trained to notice the very subtle early changes that indicate cancerous growth—and the earlier you treat skin cancer, the greater the chance it can be cured. Checks are inexpensive, and there are plenty of bulk-billing clinics around, so consider taking up this simple measure to safeguard your health and the health of your workers.

Spreading awareness

Sharing posts like these in your network can help to prompt more of the people you care about to have their skin checked. Consider encouraging others to put reminders in their calendars to check their own skin, and to have it checked by a professional yearly, because the more reminders we share, the more chance we all have of benefiting from early detection. We would all do well to remember that Australia’s sun is beating down on us all year round, and protecting our skin from damaging UV rays is one of the most important parts of maintaining our health while we work and play outside.

Donating to cancer research

There have been some remarkable advancements in the detection and treatment of skin cancer in recent years, and fundraising is vital to the progression of research and clinic trials that will ultimately lead to finding a cure for skin cancer. There are lots of fun ways to help raise money for melanoma research, and you can get involved through volunteering or participating in initiatives run by reputable organisations like the Melanoma Institute Australia. You never know—a nice day out with your friends could end up being the turning point in curing melanoma.

Protecting your skin

As is the case with most illnesses, skin cancer prevention is better than cure. Preventing the sun damage that causes skin cancer should be part of your workplace’s daily safety routine, which is why Pryme stocks a complete range of skin and sun protection products to help you protect your workers.

Because we care about workers and the environment, we only use the best products on the market, and we only partner with the most socially and environmentally responsible brands. Our dermatologically tested, reef-safe MaxiBlock range of sunscreens and zinc sticks offers very high levels of protection against both UVA and UVB rays, and we now carry the specially formulated Outbacker range which combines sun protection with insect repellent. For wearable sun protection, our Ergodyne range of safety products includes hard-hat brims with shades for extra neck and face cover, so you can keep your workers comfortable and shielded from skin damage even while they’re working in the most intense sun and heat.

For more information on any of our products, or for advice on keeping your workers safe this Melanoma month, please contact our friendly staff, and we’ll be happy to help.