Skin cancer ... monitoring your skin and limiting sun exposure are the first lines of defence.
Pre-emptive strikes don't work when it comes to skin moles, a Sydney dermatologist has warned.
Phillip Artemi, of the Australian College of Dermatologists, says people often ask to have moles removed in an attempt to beat cancer before it starts.
But the best way to reduce the risk that you will be one of the hundreds of Australians who die from skin cancer each year is to monitor your skin.
"Look around," Dr Artemi says. "Get to know your skin."
Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, at nearly four times the rate in the US.
The Cancer Council website says two out of three Australians will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer by the time they are 70.
Among young people (aged 15 to 44) the potentially deadly melanoma is the most common form of cancer.
Among all Australians it is the fourth most frequent cancer.
Fortunately, the survival rate is relatively high. The five-year survival rate for Australian men is 90 per cent and 95 per cent for women, says the council.
Nonetheless, hundreds are still dying from the disease every year.
While robust awareness campaigns mean it is not uncommon for people to want to cut out the little brown lumps that appear after sun exposure, Dr Artemi says regular skin checks and vigilant monitoring are more important.
"We probably do not advocate (removal) of normal moles just because you're worried," Artemi says.
His advice for people who are concerned about a particular mole is to see their GP.
"If the GP shares your concerns, you should have it removed."
Dr Artemi says dermatologists can also remove moles if they are causing discomfort or for cosmetic reasons, but cutting out a mole does not mean your risk of cancer is reduced.
"It doesn't work that way. A melanoma can develop where there has been no blemish," he says.
"We often use the phrase: don't shoot the messenger."
"If a mole is completely normal, it is ridiculous to remove it."
Melanoma can happen years after sun damage, Dr Artemi says, and skin cell damage may be invisible to the naked eye.
"You can have normal looking skin but the cells are microscopically changing.
Dr Artemi says it is a process that can go on for decades.
"Then you see visible damage."
The good news is that, like smoking, it is not too late to take action.
"Put the brakes on to protect your skin and really start to take care of it. And speak to your GP."
The most common places skin cancer occurs are the parts of your body the sun hits: the face and hands, and anywhere that has been damaged by the sun. In particular, shoulders.
"If in doubt, check it out," Dr Artemi says.