The sun sets for me

As you read this you might be eyeing off the last of the Christmas ham to decide if it’s past the use-by, or you’re already in the thick of intermittent fasting to shed the festive bulge. Good luck either way!


January is also when many people head to the beach, armed with their chair, umbrella – or these days the ubiquitous beach cabana – and hopefully plenty of SPF50+ sunscreen.

I’m careful about sun protection but a recent screening of a new documentary about skin cancer – which we feature in our cover story this month – sent off alarm bells that made me want to slather on the sunscreen before I stepped out of the cinema.

While West Australians love the great outdoors, especially over the balmy summer months, the message from skin cancer experts is that we urgently need to re-invigorate the slip, slop, slap message.

Now some news from me – this will be my last sign-off as managing editor. After four wonderful years at Medical Forum doing the job I love best – health journalism – I am stepping down to pursue other interests and travel.

While West Australians love the great outdoors, especially over the balmy summer months, the message from skin cancer experts is that
we urgently need to re-invigorate the slip, slop, slap message.


I am not leaving altogether, and will continue to contribute as a feature writer, but from this month Andrea Downey takes the reins as editor.

Andrea hails from a health journalism background, having most recently worked on a nurses’ magazine in the UK, and has been writing for our weekly e-newsletter for the past few months.

She comes with enthusiasm and new ideas and will strive to keep our readers informed and entertained as always.

So, 2025 really is a year of new beginnings!