Surf’s up, along with the skin cancer rate

Researchers at Southern Cross University have launched an Australian-first study to determine the rates and types of skin cancers among surfers, swimmers and stand up paddle boarders (SUPs). The study, a joint initiative with John Flynn Hospital on the Gold Coast, is offering free skin checks at locations in Tugun and Mullumbimby to year-round water lovers aged 18 years and over.

Participants in the study will be asked to complete a research questionnaire, according to project leader Dr Mike Climstein, senior lecturer in Clinical Exercise Physiology at SCU’s Gold Coast campus.

In 2016 Dr Climstein conducted an online self-reporting study that found the rate of melanomas among surfers was up to three times higher than the rest of the Australian general population.

“This latest research will lead to a more accurate snapshot by conducting specialist skin checks which in turn will lead to a more accurate determination of type it was, be it basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma, which underestimates the true prevalence of skin cancers,” he said.

“This time we’ve got Honours student Brendan Doyle and a number of specialists and surgeons involved in the initiative, where the skin check and questionnaire go together. They are Project leader Dr Mike Climstein has already found surfers doing this at no cost to experience three times the melanoma rate of Australians participants as long as generally. they are regular surfers, the prevalence and types of skin cancers - price is not a barrier to rather than relying on people’s memory,” getting involved. Dr Climstein said. “We will also determine which

“Last time with the online survey a prevention strategies are most effective number of participants reported skin based on the answers of those who have no cancer but they couldn’t remember what history of sun cancer. swimmers and SUPs, so