Cricketer Micheal Clarke's second skin cancer diagnosis: Why so many cases in Australia

Australian cricket legend Michael Clarke, under whom the country won the Cricket World Cup in 2015, reveals that he was diagnosed with skin cancer. On his social media page, the cricketer wrote, 'Skin cancer is real, especially in Australia. Another one cut out of my nose today. A friendly reminder to get your skin checked.' He also thanked his doctors and the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation for helping him. Clarke, whose first brush with skin cancer was in 2006, was also diagnosed with non-melanoma lesions in 2019. Skin cancer is the world's second most common type of cancer, and it affects one in five people by the age of 70, according to the US-based Skin Cancer Foundation.  

What helped Clarke
Skin cancer is a type of disease that is treatable. However, if the treatment isn't taken on time, it can also be quite risky. According to Clarke, what helped him was early detection. On his page, he said, 'Prevention is better than cure, but in my case, regular check-ups and early detection are key.' As it's the kind of cancer one can see, unlike many other forms of the disease, any irregularity should ring an alarm bell. Examining skin once a month and getting anything that looks irregular checked by a dermatologist is essential.

Why high skin cancer rates in Australia?
Australia is often referred to as the 'Skin Cancer Capital' of the world, as its geographical location closer to the equator exposes it to a significant amount of harsh UV radiation. Moreover, as many in the country are of European descent and have insufficient melanin in their skin, their skin burns easily. The summers of the country are also extremely long, and Australians love to spend time outdoors, which increases their sun exposure. According to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, 95% of the skin cancers in the country are due to UV radiation. People's desire to get 'tanned' without using enough sun protection is also cited by many doctors as a reason.  

Symptoms of skin cancer
1) New, rough patches on skin
2) Pain on the patch
3) Itchy skin around the patch
4) Changes in the size, shape or structure of an existing mole or freckle
5) Skin sores that don't heal
6) New bumps, scabs or moles on the skin

What part of skin gets cancer
Body parts with the most sun exposure tend to have a higher risk of skin cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. Ears, lips, scalp, face, arms, back, legs and even the backs of the hands can develop skin cancer. At the same time, the tumour can also occur on genitals, toenails, fingernails and palms where you don't get too much sun. This is particularly true for individuals with brown or black skin.