The Cancer Society is working with Posties to help them be more alert for the signs of skin cancer. Working with New Zealand Post, the society is issuing information packs for outdoor workers to the country's 2,300 Posties about sun safety and the skin cancer self-checks available to them. Raewyn Sutton, Wellington's Cancer Society Manager Health Promotion, said that Posties, like all outdoor workers, needed to be extra vigilant about the dangers of skin cancer. "They're also a highly visible part of the community and having Posties set a good example will help spread the sun smart message in the community," Raewyn said. New Zealand Post's Safety and Wellbeing Consultant Jon Murchison says the information packs would be used as the basis for raising awareness of the dangers of skin cancer. "Historically Posties have received an annual skin exam, but because melanomas can form quickly the first line of defence is heightened awareness among Posties, with an emphasis on checking their own skin for changes." One Postie who knows first-hand the benefits of checking for skin changes and taking prompt action if any are found is Hutt Valley Postie Murray Velvin. A Postie for ten years, Murray discovered a melanoma on his upper arm two years ago. "I'd had a few lesions removed from my skin over the years, and my doctor warned me to keep an eye on this mole," he said. When he noticed a tiny change in colour he took action straight away. "My GP cut out the mole and I went to hospital for preventive surgery. Luckily the surgery showed that the cancer had not spread into the lymph node. "The experience has totally changed my approach to sun safety," he said. "I always wear long sleeves now. I encourage people to talk to their GPs if they have any concerns about moles or lesions on their bodies. Most of us don't even know what to look for so it is safest to ask a professional." The Cancer Society advises outdoor workers to wear long-sleeved tops with collars, seek shade whenever possible, don wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses and use SPF 30+ sunscreen. To ensure Posties are well protected their uniforms have been designed to ensure a high level of sun protection. The shirt has an ultraviolet protection factor rating of 30+ on the yellow high-visibility stripes and 50+ on the red fabric. Two sunhat options are available: a cap and a legionnaire's hat, both of which have a SPF 50+ rating. Sunglasses, visors, a neck buff and cycle gloves also offer sun protection, and all delivery branches have sunscreen available for Posties. The Cancer Society says that New Zealand has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world, over three times that of the United States and the United Kingdom. With over 69,000 new cases of skin cancer (both melanoma and non melanoma skin cancer) a year, it is the most common cancer diagnosed in this country and responsible for over 300 deaths annually.