The Skin Cancer College Australasia is proud to announce their new Ambassador, AFLW dual All Australian and Brisbane Lions star.
Emily Bates, AFLW Best and Fairest, has been announced as new Ambassador for SCCA during National Skin Cancer Action Week.
At the age of 26, Emily Bates – AFLW player, dual All Australian and Lions Best and Fairest winner – has had more than her fair share of brushes with skin cancer. After having multiple basal cell skin cancers removed over the past three years, she is now a passionate advocate for sun protection and the early detection of skin cancers.
To help spread the word about skin self-examination, Emily has become the latest Ambassador for the Skin Cancer College Australasia. The College’s announcement of Emily’s new role aligns with National Skin Cancer Action week-November 21st to 27th. The week acts as an important reminder for all Australians to use sun protection and of the importance of early skin cancer detection.
Emily’s skin cancers are the result of repeated exposure to the sun when she was growing up as a typically active child playing football and cricket, so being an ambassador for the Skin Cancer College is the perfect way for her to let others know what to do if they find a suspicious spot or mole.
“People think that having a regular skin check is not something you need to do at 25. However, when you consider that melanoma is the most common life-threatening cancer in the 15 to 44 year age group, it’s certainly worth taking a few moments every month to check your skin and schedule an annual check with an Accredited Skin Cancer Doctor”.
Skin Cancer College Australasia President Dr Robert Pennisi said “We know that 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer before the age of 70. This statistic is alarming.
Skin cancer doctors are very concerned about lower than usual numbers of people presenting for skin checks during the COVID pandemic*. Delaying a skin check could quite simply be a life and death decision.
We encourage all Australians to be familiar with their skin through regular skin self-examination. Then you can easily identify if a spot on your skin is sore, changing, abnormal or new.”
Emily Bates said that one of the questions she is most frequently asked by members of the public is who should they see if they find something suspicious on their skin??
“I now recommend to everyone to visit the SCAN Your Skin website and use the locate a doctor directory to find their closest Accredited Skin Cancer Doctor. There are over 680 of these skin cancer GPs across Australia and New Zealand who have undertaken additional studies to treat and diagnose skin cancers. It is important not to delay having your skin check.”
Dr Pennisi said “We are extremely pleased to welcome Emily Bates, AFLW pioneer, as our new Ambassador. Emily represents a generation of Australians who are potentially unaware that melanoma is the most deadly cancer in their age group. Emily’s story and message is important – regardless of your age, know your skin and don’t ignore suspicious spots or lesions”
About:
The Skin Cancer College Australasia is the non-profit peak body representing more than 1,100 skin cancer practitioners in both Australia and New Zealand. The College nurtures and supports primary care professionals at the frontline of diagnosing, treating and managing skin cancer. Australia and New Zealand have the highest skin cancer rates in the world.
The Skin Cancer College Australasia encourages the early detection and treatment of skin lesions through SCAN Your Skin.
More Information:
Kim Harland
Marketing Manager
Skin Cancer College Australasia
Email:kim@skincancercollege.org
