In this episode our ever-curious hosts, Doctor Nigel and Professor Jonathan, dive deep into the ‘sunny side’ of skin health, shedding light on the multifaceted impact sunlight has on your body.

The Docs embark on a comprehensive discussion about the perils of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. With a particular focus on the alarming rise of skin cancer cases in the sun-drenched land of Australia, they highlight how the country's love affair with the sun has led to it being dubbed the "skin cancer capital of the world."

How do sun rays affect the skin differently? The Docs delve into the nitty-gritty of UV radiation, explaining how UVA and UVB rays penetrate the skin, causing everything from red-hot sunburns to DNA damage. While a tan might make you look like a bronzed god or goddess, it is actually could be your skin crying out for help.

What are the key components of the Australian "5 S’s" campaign? The conversation takes a hopeful turn as they explore the effectiveness of various preventative measures. The Docs praise the Australian "Slip, Slop, Slap, Slide, and Seek" campaign, which encourages people to slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, slide on sunglasses, and seek shade. They also give some sun-sational advice, discussing the importance of using broad-spectrum sunscreens with high SPF, reapplying sunscreen every two hours, and wearing protective clothing.

The Docs then emphasise the critical importance of early detection in combating skin cancer. They share personal anecdotes about friends and family members who have undergone skin checks, some of whom discovered potentially dangerous lesions just in the nick of time. Professor Jonathan quips that while it might feel like a game of "spot the difference," regular skin checks can be lifesaving.

The Docs stress the need for listeners to adopt sun protection strategies diligently and to perform regular skin checks. They advise seeking medical advice for any skin concerns, no matter how trivial they may seem, because when it comes to skin health, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

As they wrap up, they remind everyone that while the sun might be a star, your skin should be the real star of the show, deserving all the care and protection it can get.

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DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed on Join the Docs are those of Dr. Nigel Guest, Jonathan Sackier and other people on our show. Be aware that Join the Docs is not intended to be medical advice, it is for information and entertainment purposes only - please, always take any health concerns to your doctor or other healthcare provider.

We respect the privacy of patients and never identify individuals unless they have consented. We may change details, dates, place names and so on to protect privacy. Listening to Join the Docs, interacting on our social media, emailing or writing to us does not establish a doctor patient relationship.

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