Though skin cancer is widespread in Brisbane, Australia, the local people generally do not take care to protect their skin.
Julie-Anne Osberger has been ridiculed by people in public places when she had her arms and face covered to protect her skin against the sun.
Two years ago, the middle-aged woman from Ipswich suffered a skin allergy after she wore shorts and a short-sleeve top to go out in the sun.
“I felt as if my skin were on fire for three weeks; it was itching so much that it led to scratching and weeping,” she said.
“My doctor asked me to try to avoid the sun by all means and that is the only way for me to get rid of problems with my skin.
“The skin specialist told me that my skin has been photosynthesized by the sun rays”.
The doctor says that other patients have the same skin issue, but even worse than hers.
Some were requested by doctors to stay in the dark for two months until they fully recovered.
- Ms. Osberger’s sunburned arm
Ms Osberger said “The people here are fearless of the sun and don’t care about their appearance, so they take no effort to protect themselves when they go out”.
“Even those who have recovered from skin cancer continue their old habit of not avoiding the sun when they go out.
She says that they probably want to show the attitude “Aussies are tough”.
“I don’t care that I am ‘socially unacceptable’.
“As long as my skin remains healthy and youthful, I am happy.”
