Conquering Skin Cancer: Is The Sun Our Friend Or Foe?

Unfortunately, we all know somebody who is living with or has died from skin cancer, so Conquering Skin Cancer may be the most important film you will ever watch.

The documentary Conquering Skin Cancer asks, is the sun our friend or foe? We live in a sunburnt country which promotes outdoor activities but hauntingly 10 % of all the world’s melanoma cases are in Australia.

The statistics are frightening; one million skin cancers were removed in Australians just this year alone and 2 of 3 people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

Skin cancer is common yet so preventable – it’s a problem that can be solved especially if caught early. Stage One Melanoma is curable, but stage Four has the highest rate of mortality of any cancers.

This documentary highlights that prevention, early detection and therapy collectively conquer skin cancer.

Doctors agree that the human body requires vitamin D but surprisingly we acquire enough just by walking to our letterbox. But if melanoma is such a real health issue why do so many Aussies love to spend hours under the sun at beaches absorbing all the harmful UV rays, literally cooking their bodies?

It’s been said by doctors that no tan is a good tan. However, amongst beachgoers, especially the younger demographics, the general consensus is that being a bronzed Aussie is fashionable and having a tan is ‘the thing’. A dark golden-brown tan is sexier and looks healthier than an untanned body.

Sunbathers are literally dying to get a great tan. Research by the Cancer Council shows that 80% of teenagers believe that tanning is fine.

The purpose of this documentary isn’t to frighten audiences but to educate and spread awareness – more aptly it’s a wakeup call.

Melanoma survivors are interviewed and tell their stories, including Deborah Hutton a skin cancer advocate/media personality and Cate Campbell, a world champion swimmer.

Hugh Jackman tells of his ordeal with skin cancer and there are also many insightful interviews with dermatologists, oncologists, competitive surfers and members of the general public.

The resonating message is that it’s easier to prevent skin cancer than to go through therapy – check any sunspots and consult a doctor if necessary. Early detection means minimal invasive surgery which is preferable to a lifetime of treatments.

The attitude of most people is that ‘it won’t happen to me’, but hopefully their perspectives will change once they watch the heart wrenching stories of some of these melanoma survivors.

If Conquering Skin Cancer saves at least one life, then it has successfully reached its goal. Compelling and mandatory viewing.

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From December 4

For screening details – www.ConqueringSkinCancer.com.au