Dr Dave starts a Gympie clinic

Take your skin checks to specialist Dr Dave Smith in Gympie - he starts there next month!

Take your skin checks to specialist Dr Dave Smith in Gympie – he starts there next month!

Dr David Smith, who worked for years as  the Rainbow Beach general practitioner, is back in the region working in Gympie one day a week.

Dave said, “I am starting at the Sundoc Clinic in Gympie November 7, on Mondays only. This may be more convenient for some of my previous skin cancer patients.”

He says it will be accessible to all, and more affordable. “I don’t want people waiting months for their yearly skin check.”

Dave currently commutes from Noosa to go home to Rainbow Beach for the weekend. The beauty of Rainbow Beach and laidback lifestyle, keep calling him back!

“If it works out I will increase my days and decrease time in Noosa. That way I will be able to continue to live in Rainbow.”

Dave is passionate about prevention of skin cancer. Since working here he has identified many melanomas, and earlier stage skin cancers, and he decided to specialise in this area of medicine.

He also identifies with ‘us’ locals: “What I’ve found is that people have an outdoor lifestyle – they live here because they like being outside.”

So does Dave – if you see him in Rainbow Beach, it is fishing ‘out the front’ or taking grandkids to the beach for a dip.

“I came up from Sydney because I’m a surfer for the warm weather. My work is my life. I’m doing my Masters now – all I read is medical journals.”

Queensland is the skin cancer capital of the world – so if you are due for a skin check, book in today!


1 in 3 confused about causes of sunburn

Queenslanders are being urged to think UV this spring – not heat – after Cancer Council’s National Sun Survey showed more than a third of adults are still confused about what causes sunburn.

When asked the most useful measure for determining their sunburn risk, 67 per cent of Queensland adults were able to correctly identify the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

However, 33 per cent of adults did not realise that UV radiation is the only cause of sunburn.

18 per cent mistakenly claimed temperature as a useful measure of sunburn risk, 15 per cent thought cloud-cover, wind, or humidity could damage their skin and four per cent couldn’t say.

Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift said with the arrival of spring, Queenslanders needed to be vigilant when heading outdoors.

“It’s vital to understand that UV radiation – not heat, wind, or sunlight – causes sunburn,” Ms Clift said.

“These common misconceptions could result in long-term consequences for people failing to protect their skin from the harmful effects of UV.

“Exposure to UV radiation not only causes sunburn, but also premature ageing, damage to the eyes, and can lead to skin cancer later in life.

“Sun protection is required when the UV Index level is three or above – in Queensland, that is all seasons, all year.

“It’s imperative for Queenslanders to follow the five recommended sun protective behaviours when heading outdoors this spring.

“Slip on protective clothing, Slop on minimum SPF30 broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, Slap on a broad-brimmed hat, Seek shade. Slide on wrap-around sunnies when outdoors to best reduce the risk of skin cancer.”

More than 3600 Queenslanders are diagnosed with melanoma each year, and it is estimated that over 350,000 non-melanoma skin cancers are treated.

“Most skin cancers can be prevented through simple sun protection measures,” Ms Clift said.

“Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide to help reduce your cancer risk.”

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