Sixes to Skin Checks: Renegades team up with MSCAN to drive skin cancer awareness

The collaboration looks to encourage Australians to know their skin, protect themselves from the dangers of UV exposure, and be proactive in checking their skin.

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At Thursday's match against the Hobart Hurricanes, the Renegades and MSCAN are giving cricket fans the opportunity of receiving free skin checks with leading dermatologists from the Alfred Hospital's Victorian Melanoma Service.

With the purchase of a premium ticket, fans will receive a free skin check using state-of-the-art technology as well as premium seating to watch the action on pitch in the club's home opener of the BBL|14 season.

For Melbourne Renegades player Josh Brown (pictured above with Dr. Victoria Mar, dermatologist at the Alfred Hospital's Victorian Melanoma Service) the message around sun-safety and skin cancer has taken on a whole new meaning after his mum had a melanoma removed not long ago:

“It was a serious excision, very confronting at the time, but we’re so relieved the cancer was detected early. It saved my mum’s life and ever since then I get regular skins checks and never leave the house with sunscreen on. It has really opened my eyes to the dangers. Being a cricketer means I’m exposed to a lot of sun, for long periods of time, so I’m super cautious and remind my teammates of the dangers too."

Attending the game at GMHBA Stadium is cricket enthusiast and Geelong local James Collier who has been diagnosed twice with melanoma, the second spreading beyond his skin to other parts of his body.

“I’ve never been an outdoor person, I don’t enjoy the beach or work outside so having not one, but two, melanomas removed has been a shock. It has had a big impact on my family who I rely on now to support me as I battle advanced skin cancer."

We know the Australian sun is harsh. In 2023, over 18,000 Australians were diagnosed with melanoma – skin cancer’s deadliest form. Yet with many young people still tanning regularly (20.6% aged 15-24 years), we still have a lot to learn about sun safety.

Cricketers can spend up to eight hours in the sun on game day and a recent study with the Melbourne Renegades found 90% of players had been burnt in the past season during matches. In partnering with MSCAN, Melbourne Renegades players are improving their sun safe behaviours to prevent skin cancer. This includes wearing a hat and sunscreen, covering their skin with long sleeves and pants, seeking out shade and wearing sunglasses.

Tamara Dawson, Founder and CEO of MSCAN, a melanoma survivor herself, said the early signs of skin cancer can often go unchecked.

“It only takes 10 minutes in the sun for your skin to start to burn and that damage will last a lifetime. Being sun safe doesn’t mean you have to miss out on summer or the cricket, and it can save your life."

“Less than half (40%) of the cricket players we surveyed knew what to look for when checking their skin for skin cancer. Knowing your skin and checking it regularly using the ABCDE method is so important. Prevention and early detection is a choice we can all make to help avoid skin cancer.”

The ABCDE is a method endorsed by MSCAN and the medical community when checking for signs of a suspicious mole on your skin: A for Asymmetry, B for Border, C for Colour, D for Diameter and E for Evolving (or changing).

On display at the Melbourne Renegades match on Thursday the 19th of December in Geelong will be game changing technology for skin cancer detection: The VISIA system which identifies the true skin age of a person and shows UV damage on the face, and the VECTRA 3D full-body imaging system. This technology will empower individuals, improve access to skin checks and ensure the right people have access to the right skin check at the right time. For MSCAN, this advancement in skin check technology is providing the infrastructure to support a much-needed Targeted National Screening Program for Australia.

“With this technology, we have the ability to quickly and accurately check for signs of skin cancer for Aussies that are at high risk. This knowledge can help people all over Australia better understand and manage their risk of skin cancer."