By YASEMIN TALAT
SUMMER may have ended but the sun’s UV rays are still shining and the skin cancer warnings are still strong.
Over the weekend hundreds of Melbournians joined forces for the March Against Melanoma campaign.
Each marcher, including Werribee resident Samantha King and her family, helped take steps to create awareness and promote the importance of early detection and prevention against skin cancer and melanoma.
Ms King was diagnosed with skin cancer last year, and had the cancer removed from her face but has again been diagnosed with a cancer found on her arm.
“It’s one of those things that people are very lazy and blasé about going in to get themselves checked,” Ms King said.
Ms King said people needed to be more aware about melanoma and the risks of being exposed to the suns UV rays.
“I want to be very active in the community and raise awareness and remind people just constantly,” she said.
“Hopefully I can make my impact on the community.”
Ms King said skin cancer was something that some people may not detect because it could come up anywhere on the body, and encouraged the community to take extra caution.
She also said putting on sunscreen should become part of everyone’s daily routine, like it has hers.
Skin cancer and melanoma are leading health issues in Australia with over 400,000 Australians treated for skin cancer each year – more than 1000 people each day.
To sponsor Ms King and support the Skin & Cancer Foundation Inc visit http://www.skincancer.asn.au/my-fundraising/113/s-stands-for
