Are you applying enough sunscreen?

Protect your skin!

It’s great being outdoors enjoying our beautiful country and climate. From the beach to the bush, being outdoors gives us a chance to be active, enjoy fresh air and spend time with others.

But being outdoors in Australia means we’re exposed to some of the harshest and most dangerous levels of ultraviolet radiation (UV) in the world.

Research shows 85% of Australians don’t apply enough sunscreen to prevent UV from damaging their skin.

For the parts of your body not covered by clothing, hats and sunglasses, apply sunscreen using these tips:

  • Apply sunscreen to any exposed skin at least 20 minutes before you go outside.
  • Most adults should use at least 7 teaspoons of sunscreen for one full body application to cover exposed skin properly. Use our SunScreen calculator below to help you.
  • Reapply sunscreen every two hours or more frequently if swimming or sweating. Remember to bring sunscreen with you.         

Source: Sunsmart website.

 

Protect your skin

There is no such thing as a safe tan – whether from the sun or a solarium. Tanning is a sign your skin cells are in trauma. The more you tan your skin, the greater your risk of skin cancer.

If you notice your skin starts to change colour – what people often call a ‘tan’ – that’s a clear sign that damage is being done. Whenever the UV Index hits 3 or above it’s important to cover up to protect your skin.

Even if your skin isn’t burning, a tan is a sign that your skin cells are in trauma and have been damaged by UV radiation. A tan occurs as your skin produces more pigment trying to protect itself from the damaging UV.

Alfred Hospital Victorian Melanoma Service Director Associate Professor, Victoria Mar, reiterated the dangers involved in tanning.

“Sun damage accumulates over time, so even if you’re seeking a tan but not burning, the risks will be heightened and for some people this will result in skin cancer. That’s why it’s so important for Australians to use adequate sun protection and avoid tanning,” Associate Prof Mar said.

Learn how to protect yourself and your family this summer at sunsmart.com.au 

 Source – SunSmart

WELCOME TO 2024 AND SUMMER!!!!!

 

DO YOU KNOW YOUR ABCDE’S

 

As we are all out enjoying the beautiful weather and sunshine, we need to make sure we are looking after our skin and keeping an eye on any changes.

The ABCDE rule for skin cancer is a handy acronym that can help you identify potential skin cancers.

The letters stand for “Asymmetrical, Border, Colour, Diameter, Evolving.” A new or changing spot or mole on your skin may be a sign of cancer.

When in doubt, it’s best to have a doctor check it out.

 

 

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year text, lettering, greeting Merry Christmas and Happy New Year text, lettering for greeting cards, banners, posters, isolated vector illustration. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year greeting merry christmas lettering stock illustrations

The Ballarat Surgicentre team would like to thank all of its patients for such a wonderful year. Whether you were new to us in 2023, or have been with us for some time, we have thoroughly enjoyed meeting and caring for you.

We appreciate all of our lovely patients who have made this year so special and can’t wait for what 2024 has to bring.

We hope that you have a safe and happy holiday season with your family and friends, and look forward to seeing you in the New Year!

 

Sincerely,

The Ballarat Surgicentre Team

Be SunSmart

The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main cause of skin cancer. UV damage also causes sunburn, tanning, premature ageing and eye damage. 

Skin cancer kills nearly 2,000 Australians each year – more than the national road toll – and two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70.

The good news is you can cut your risk of skin cancer by using good sun protection. It’s never too late for prevention, whether you’re six months or 60 years old.

Think UV not heat

UV radiation isn’t like the sun’s light or heat, which we can see and feel. That means we usually don’t notice the damage until it’s too late. The UV level can be as high on a cold or cloudy day as it is when it is a scorching hot day. 

The free SunSmart Global UV app tells you when sun protection is recommended for your location and shows current UV levels. During the day’s sun protection times, use all five SunSmart steps for the best level of protection.

  1. Slip on sun-protective clothing.
  2. Slop on SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outdoors and re-apply every two hours. 
  3. Slap on a broad-brimmed hat that protects your face, head, neck and ears.
  4. Seek shade.
  5. Slide on sunglasses.

Footy Colours Week

The Ballarat Surgicentre held Footy Colours Week between Monday 18th September and Friday 29th September. 

Staff and patients were encouraged to wear their teams colours in support of the Fight Cancer Foundation and raising money for Kids with Cancer. 

All staff had a fantastic two weeks with special treats to share, a few games to participate in as well as a raffle. 

Over the two weeks staff and patients managed to raise a total of $1046.50! This is an incredible amount raised for such a great cause. 

Thankyou to all staff and patients who participated in the two weeks of events and donated to this cause. 

A wonderful two weeks of celebrations and raising money. Thankyou to all involved. 

Protecting your skin in Spring.

In every region across Australia, it is likely to reach high levels of UV over the spring months. Over-exposure to UV radiation causes 95% of melanomas. We encourage Australians to check the UV before you head outside, on the SunSmart app, via the Bureau of Meteorology’s website or your local weather forecast.

The UV Index is a tool you can use to protect yourself from UV radiation. It tells you the times during the day that you need to be SunSmart.

The UV Index divides UV radiation levels into:

  • low (1-2)
  • moderate (3-5)
  • high (6-7)
  • very high (8-10)
  • extreme (11 and above).

Look or listen for the UV Index when you are:

  • planning or participating in an outdoor activity or event
  • undertaking recreational activities such as running, swimming, cycling or team sports
  • watching a spectator sport, such as tennis or cricket
  • working outdoors, or have responsibility for outdoor workers, or
  • responsible for young children and their outdoor activities.

How do I get the UV Index?

The Index is reported in the weather page of all Australian daily newspapers, on the Bureau of Meteorology website, and on some radio and mobile weather forecasts. You can also find UV Alerts on the ARPANSA website.

SunSmart App

For smartphone users, the free SunSmart app is a great way to check the UV Index when you are out and about. iPhone users can download it at the iTunes App Store and Android users at the Google Play store.

So whether you are at work, home or on the move, you can easily and quickly check the times of the day when sun protection is needed. 

UV Index widget

There is a huge variation in UV levels across Australia. The UV level is affected by a number of factors including the time of day, time of year, cloud cover, altitude, proximity to the equator, scattering and reflection.

Take away the guesswork by adding the free SunSmart widget to your website. The widget shows the sun protection times for your location in Australia, making it easier than ever to be smart about your sun exposure all year.

You can also check the Index for cities and towns across Australia.

Illustration of slip slop slap seek slide with a long-sleeve top, sunscreen bottle, broad-brimmed hat, umbrella and sunglasses.

Fortunately, most skin cancers can be prevented by using all five forms of sun protection when the UV level is 3 or higher:  
  • Slip on sun protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible. 
  • Slop on broad spectrum, water resistant SPF30 (or higher) sunscreen. Apply 20 minutes before going outdoors and every two hours afterwards.  
  • Slap on a hat – broad brim or legionnaire style to protect your face, head, neck and ears.  
  • Seek shade. 
  • Slide on sunglasses – make sure they meet Australian Standards.

Research shows that many Australians, particularly men, aren’t regularly using all five forms of sun protection. This year, Cancer Council Australia in partnership with the Australasian College of Dermatologists, is urging all Australians, especially men aged over 40, to be SunSmart and reduce their risk of developing skin cancer.

 

 

 

 
 
 

Dry July

The team at Ballarat Surgicentre are proud to be supporting the Dry July challenge to go alcohol-free for the month of July. Our staff have a raffle, baby photo competition and a range of other games and activities to raise much needed funds for BRICC – The Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre. There will be a donation jar in reception for any patients wishing to contribute to our fundraising efforts.

NAIDOC WEEK 2023

The Ballarat Surgicentre acknowledges and pays respect to the traditional owners of the land, Aboriginal Elders past, present and emerging. 

July 2nd to 9th is National NAIDOC Week. This years theme is ‘For Our Elders’. 

Across every generation, our Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in our communities and families. They are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and our loved ones. Our loved ones who pick us up in our low moments and celebrate us in our high ones. Who cook us a feed to comfort us and pull us into line, when we need them too.  

They guide our generations and pave the way for us to take the paths we can take today. Guidance, not only through generations of advocacy and activism, but in everyday life and how to place ourselves in the world. We draw strength from their knowledge and experience, in everything from land management, cultural knowledge to justice and human rights. Across multiple sectors like health, education, the arts, politics and everything in between, they have set the many courses we follow. 
 
The struggles of our Elders help to move us forward today. The equality we continue to fight for is found in their fight. Their tenacity and strength has carried the survival of our people. It is their influence and through their learnings that we must ensure that when it comes to future decision making for our people, there is nothing about us – without us. 

We pay our respects to the Elders we’ve lost and to those who continue fighting for us across all our Nations and we pay homage to them. 

In 2023, how will you celebrate For Our Elders? 

 

Soapy Heroes

Additional resources to help teach kids about how
to wash their hands properly and become a ‘Soapy
Hero’ can be found here