It’s important to us at FMG to help protect our clients, many of whom are farmers and growers who spend much of their time outdoors.
What we’ve spotted so far
We’ve worked with Melanoma New Zealand at events and locations across the country. From Whangārei to Cromwell, Greymouth to Taumaranui, we’ve helped Melanoma New Zealand get on the road to offer free education and spot checks looking for signs of skin cancer. Whether it’s the Northland Fieldays, National Sheep Dog Championships or Ruralco Instore Days, we’re committed to helping those in rural communities stay safe in the sun.
If caught early, melanoma is almost always curable so it’s crucial to understand how to protect yourself, what to look for and to get regular checks.
We’ve helped check over 1,500 spots, 181 of which were suspicious and referred for further follow-up. Of those suspicious spots, 26 were suspected to be melanomas. That’s a lot of families who now have the information and support they need.
“We often see an increase in melanomas during the spring months. Typically, it’s because we take off a layer of clothing as it gets warmer and we notice a spot we don’t remember seeing before.”
Gill Rolfe, Melanoma New Zealand’s Nurse Educator
Getting a spot check
If you’re concerned about a spot (freckle or mole) contact your GP to ask if they offer spot checks. You can book a free online consultation with a qualified Nurse Educator from Melanoma New Zealand. Simply visit melanoma.org.nz/appointment-booking to see what appointment times are available.
Melanoma New Zealand’s website melanoma.org.nz has a wealth of information, including instructions on how to conduct your own skin check (checking your whole body looking for spots that are suspicious according to the A-G Guide), and handy tips such as keeping an eye out for the ‘ugly duckling’ – spots that are different from the others around it.
It’s not just about spot checks
If you’re a client of FMG, you can access Melanoma New Zealand’s online education for free. It includes practical information, takes about 30 minutes and includes a few surprising facts – for instance did you know that UVA rays penetrate deeper into our skin, but UVB rays are more aggressive? That’s why it’s crucial to use sunscreen that protects from both UVA and UVB.
Visit fmg.co.nz/melanoma to get started.
Helping you protect yourself and your family
So, with all this in mind we recommend you follow Melanoma New Zealand’s advice to:
• Slip on protective clothing
• Slop on a minimum of SPF30 sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside, and reapply every two hours
• Slap on a wide-brimmed sun hat
• Seek shade, particularly from September to April, and between 10am and 4pm
• Slide on close-fitting sunglasses
We’re proud to now offer child sized wide-brimmed FMG hats in addition to our adult sizes, plus we provide sunscreen at our events. So next time you’re out and about, pop in and say hi, and grab a hat and a squirt of sunscreen.
To find out more about the FMG Spot Check Roadie head to fmg.co.nz/spotcheck-roadie
Word and images supplied by FMG Insurance