Hello, my name is Helen Heard.
Love of outdoors.
I have had spots burnt off my face hands arms since I was 22 years old, but the big wake up call was 10 years ago when I was diagnosed with Melanoma. Since then I have had 9 other skin cancer removed.
I am very aware of my skin so I check myself all the time and I go for a skin check each year. But if I think I have a spot I go before the 12 month check to my surgeon. I also have my local doctor check me as well. Can never be too careful. As a result I also wear Solbari tops outdoors, sunscreen and a hat.
I would tell my 16 year old self to wear hats, Solbari clothing and sunscreen at all times. You can't repair damaged skin.
Thank you Helen for helping raise awareness for skin cancer, melanoma and skin conditions, and sharing your story with us and our Solbari Community.
The Solbari Team
Your skin is your largest organ and has a long memory. Sun exposure and ultraviolet (UV) damage is cumulative throughout your life. Research shows that sun damage contributes to more than 90% of wrinkles, brown spots, premature skin ageing as well as precancerous and cancerous skin lesions.
It is very difficult to the untrained eye to identify melanomas and skin cancers because they can come in many different shapes and sizes.
As Associate Professor Rosemary Nixon from the Skin & Cancer Foundation Inc. says, "the earlier a skin cancer is identified and treated, the better the chance of avoiding surgery, or in the case of a serious melanoma or skin cancer, potential disfigurement or even death."