Working rurally often means more time outdoors and high UV radiation exposure – leading to a higher melanoma risk. During winter, it’s important to remember to still protect yourself from harmful UV radiation. In fact, UV intensity increases due to reflection from snow, water, and even concrete.
Dubbed the FMG Spot Check Roadie, we’ve travelled with Melanoma New Zealand to events around the country since 2021, offering free melanoma spot checks.
Last year, 17% of our rural spot checks across the country detected suspicious lesions (852 spot checks found 144 suspicious lesions, including 42 suspected melanomas).
Around 300 New Zealanders die of melanoma every year. FMG Chief Client Officer, Glenn Croasdale, says “Our farmers and growers are exposed to New Zealand’s harsh sun each day and are among the most at risk of developing melanoma in the country. So, it’s critical to us that we support them and others in rural communities in having the information to protect themselves.”
Do a self skin check – watch instructional video here.
Get educated
Melanoma New Zealand has created an education programme which we’re offering to FMG clients for free. This means you can have all the knowledge you need for prevention and early detection of melanoma. Register here.
We’re back on the road again this year – visit fmg.co.nz/roadie to see when we’ll be near you.
Prevention is key
- The good news is melanoma is both preventable and curable. If the UV index is 3 or higher, you need to be taking steps to protect your skin. You can check the UV index for the day on your weather app.
- Slip into a long-sleeved shirt or pants to cover up skin.
- Slap on a broad-brimmed hat to protect your neck, ears and side of the face.
- Slop on some water-resistant sunscreen (at least SPF 30). You need to apply 20 minutes before going into sun and every 2 hours after that. Always check the expiry date on your sunscreen before use – if it’s expired, it will be less effective in protecting you from the sun’s rays.
- Seek out some shade where you can or bring some portable shade with you while you’re out and about, like an umbrella.
- Slide on some sunnies with UV protection
“The lovely lady identified a spot she considered to be cancerous & advised me to get it checked out sooner rather than later. I booked in to a skin clinic in Napier and had a cancer removed and another spot removed for checks too. It was a true blessing that you provided this free service as I had been putting off getting it checked out for nearly eight years! Thank you so much for your proactive role in helping those of us who tend to just get on with life and not take skin spots as seriously as we should. You may well have saved me from having to break very sad news to my children.”
FMG Spot Check Roadie visitor, Central District Field Days
2023 Spot Check Roadie results
