SKIN CANCER EDUCATION OFFICER

I would like to introduce myself as the Skin Cancer Education Officer for Southern Sun. I graduated from The University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Health Science in 2008. During my degree I had a keen interest in health promotion in which I completed a number of subjects covering or relevant to health promotion in the community.

I found it frightening to know that 1 in 2 Australians will have skin cancer at some point in their lives. Although early detection and treatment is vital in the fight against skin cancers, the single most important factor for all Australians is skin cancer prevention.

In preventing skin cancer we could eliminate costly expenses associated with  diagnosis and treatments, which cost an estimated $500 million per year, not including associated absenteeism from work and personal costs to patients.

I thoroughly enjoy being out and about in the community talking to members about their concerns and ideas about skin cancer and skin cancer prevention. I have met some very kind and delightful people in my travels and I look forward to talking with many more of you as I continue to spread the all important "healthy skin saves lives" message.