Dermatologist’s Summer Skin Cancer Warning

Dermatologists are warning balding men to get a skin check this summer, as researchers confirm a link between male pattern baldness and melanoma.

Mosh Dermatologist Dr Niyati Sharma says men who are balding or thinning on top have less natural sun protection from hair, making them more susceptible to sunburn and skin cancer.

“Baldness in itself means there is increased UV exposure to the scalp and that increases the risk of skin cancer such as melanoma,” Dr Sharma said.

Australia has the highest melanoma rates in the world, with one person diagnosed every 30 minutes.

Last year, 10,300 new melanoma cases were diagnosed in Australian men, compared with 7,300 in women, with lifestyle being singled out as a contributing factor for the higher numbers in males.

“There is usually more workplace exposure for men, as they tend to work outdoors more”.

Dr Sharma says it is possible for men experiencing hair loss to reduce the risk.

“There are effective treatment options available to help men regrow their hair, which improves sun protection over the scalp,” Dr Sharma said.

Lachlan Maddox who has been outdoors for most of his working life admits he “can’t get enough of the sun” but noticed his scalp was getting increasingly burnt as his hair thinned on top.

The 37-year-old says he never thought of the cancer risk and also wasn’t aware of the wider damage to his scalp and hair, caused by the sun.

Lachlan has undergone treatment to encourage hair to regrow through the men’s online health platform Mosh, offering greater protection from the sun and he’s had a skin check for peace of mind.

Advice Dr Sharma says all men, especially those with hair loss should consider.

“I would definitely encourage anyone spending time in the sun to wear a hat as an additional form of protection and of course, make a full skin check a priority”.