The risks of skin cancer

I just had a check up for skin cancer from an office of the NSW Cancer Council. Take a look at their website - www.cancercouncil.com.au - you will likely see some photos of skin cancer tumors.
My doctor told me the following:

1. Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world because of the high rates of sun exposure (because of the ideal conditions for outdoors based lifestyle) and genetic reasons
2. The genetic reason for high rates of skin cancer are the high ratio of Irish immigrants - the Celtic influence - in Australia
3. But thats not to say you can't get skin cancer - other races are just less vulnerable
4. The diagnosis of skin cancer suggests 2 peaks in the bell curve around the ages of 40yo and 75yo - the first for lifestyle reasons - the second degenerative diseases.
5. The skin cancers that you have you to be particularly concerned about is melanoma. If you have any moles that are a jet black colour this is an advantage stage of melanoma and you should see a doctor immediately. They only need to be 0.5mm into the skin before they are fatal, as the cancer cells enter the blood stream.
6. Clearly the best strategy is to get a check up if you have a high incidence of sun exposure, or regardless if there is any hint of Irish genes, though I suspect inter-racial gene pools might lessen the vulnerability, but I have no medical training. Anyway you should get checked up if you have black spots on you.
7. You should place a reminder of your PDA to perform a self-examination every 3-4 months, where you are looking for spots than are changing colour, size of shape. They maybe blotchy, multi-coloured, and grow from weeks to months.
8. In Australia, because of the high awareness of skin cancer, you can get an accurate diagnosis from your local GP. In other countries I would go to a specialist if you have a choice, at least for the first visit and if there is any question of a melanoma.

If you want more information on understanding skin cancer - take the following link http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/editorial.asp?pageid=98.