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When you take good care of your health from a young age, you can reduce the chances of getting cancer later in life and improve your health overall. It doesn't have to be complicated - some simple knowledge and lifestyle habits can be a big part of cancer prevention.

Use this page to find information and services that will help you maintain good skin health, breast/chest health and cervical health, prevent cancer, and organise routine checks. You can also check out our Guide to Finding a Culturally Sensitive Health Professional.

A woman happily stands in front of sun

Are you up to date with your skin health?

This information was developed by the Young Health Ambassadors, a group of young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

Medicare records show over 1 million treatments for skin cancer in 2018 alone. Many people have delayed routine checks due to COVID. Here are some simple but important steps you can take while you're young to prevent serious skin cancer.

Did you know?
  • 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70
  • Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world
  • Genetics don't influence your chance of getting skin cancer
Taking care of your skin

Know your ABCDEs

Check your own skin regularly and look out for spots, moles or lesions that have:

  • Asymmetrical shape
  • Border that is hard to define
  • Colour that is uneven, or different colours
  • Diameter longer than 6mm
  • Evolved to be a different colour, shape or size

Skincare and skin checks

  • Take care of your skin with sunscreen, hats, protective clothing and sunglasses.
  • Make a routine of regular ABCDE checks at home - you know your body best!
  • Skin checks with your doctor detect abnormalities before they spread or become dangerous (especially for parts of your body you can't check easily on your own).
  • Reflect - does your culture influence your skin checks or health consciousness?

Skin Health Flyer

Directory

  • About Skin Cancer

    Visit the resource

    If you want to understand skin cancer
    Sun Smart

    This page has resources for understanding skin cancer, its different types, risk factors, and how to check for skin cancer.
  • Sun Smart App

    Download the app

    For checking sun safety in your area
    Sun Smart

    The SunSmart app is free to download and takes away the guesswork by telling you when the UV is 3 or above, with sun protection recommended for your location. It uses forecast information from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and live UV data from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) to recommend the right sun protection for your location.
  • Skin check quiz

    Take the quiz

    To understand your risk level of skin cancer
    MoleMap Australia

    This free risk quiz will help you understand your risk level for skin cancer, so you can make informed skin health choices.
  • Find a cervical screening test provider

    Find a provider

    For people who need to book a cervical screen
    Cancer Council

    This Cervical Screening Directory allows you to find a cervical screening provider that suits your needs including location, preference of health care provider, language spoken by the provider and disability access needs.
  • Healthy Horizons

    Visit the resource

    For English, Arabic or Chinese speaking migrants and refugees
    Healthy Horizons

    This webpage provides information for migrant and refugee women about cervical screens in three different languages:

    • English

    • Arabic |العَرَبِيَّة

    • Traditional Chinese | 繁體中文
  • Guide: Cervical cancer screenings

    Visit the resource

    For English, Arabic, Chinese and Vietnamese speakers
    Cancer Council

    A guide to cervical cancer screenings that includes:

    • Who cervical cancer screenings are for

    • How to do a screening

    • Screening in the age of COVID-19

     

    And downloadable information in the following languages:

    • Arabic | العَرَبِيَّة

    • Traditional Chinese | 繁體中文

    • Vietnamese | Tiếng Việt
  • Healthy Horizons

    Visit the resource

    For English, Arabic or Chinese speaking migrants and refugees
    Healthy Horizons

    This webpage provides information for migrant and refugee women about cervical screens in three different languages:

    • English

    • Arabic |العَرَبِيَّة

    • Traditional Chinese | 繁體中文