Trent Falson (also known by his nickname “Singlets”) has become a household name after starring in the hit reality TV series Bondi Rescue. But as a professional lifeguard, dangerous waves and unpredictable swells aren’t the only deadly risks of the job.
When your day revolves around patrolling the ocean and keeping beachgoers safe, there’s really no avoiding sun exposure. And while Trent never leaves the lifeguard tower without layering on the sunscreen and sun protective clothing, he knew he could still be at risk of sun damage and skin cancer.
Born and raised in Bondi, Trent has spent most of his life at the beach and started surfing the waves of North Bondi at the age of five. He joined the North Bondi Surf Club as a 10-year-old nipper, before moving his way up the ranks to senior club, where he did patrols and trained as a specialist board paddler at an elite national level.
Trent began serving as a professional lifeguard at Bondi Beach in 1997 — long before he hit our TV screens on the popular series Bondi Rescue. He worked as a Bondi lifeguard up until 2002, before taking a 12-year hiatus to explore other career paths. But Bondi’s siren song called him back in 2014 and he’s continued serving as a lifeguard ever since.
Those who work outdoors, like lifeguards, face a higher risk of developing melanoma and other skin cancers. In fact, occupational sun exposure is responsible for approximately 34,000 cases of skin cancer in Australia each year. This is why Trent knew how important it was to have his skin checked regularly by a professional.
After a lifetime under the harsh Aussie sun and long days spent protecting Bondi beachgoers, Trent decided it was time to get proactive about his skin health and book in a Full Body MoleMap in April this year.
“Staying sun safe and getting your skin checked isn’t just a summer thing. It’s vitally important to stay on top of your skin health which is why I recently got my skin checked at MoleMap” wrote Trent in an Instagram post after his appointment.
Though the winter months bring a much slower pace to Bondi’s lifeguard team, skin cancer never rests. Trent knows his risk of melanoma remains high year-round, even during the cooler, cloudier winter days. That’s why he continues to do self-checks at home every 3 months to monitor his skin for changes.
“It’s winter now, but being out in the sun all day still comes with its risks … The start of new seasons, like winter, is a pretty good timely reminder to check your skin because melanoma can develop at any time of the year,” Trent wrote in an Instagram post on June 1.
“After getting my skin checked with MoleMap a couple months ago, it’s time for a self-check,” writes Trent, “If I notice any changes, the tele-dermatologists at MoleMap will take another look.”
“Living in Australia, we all spend a lot of time in the sun, which means it’s important to keep on eye on your skin and be aware of changes,” Trent wrote in a separate Instagram post, “It’s pretty easy to do — as long as you have a mirror or loved one for those hard to see spots.”
During this year’s National Skin Cancer Action Week (20−26 November), Trent got involved in our Know Your Spots campaign and marked his skin spots with colourful zinc to help raise awareness for skin cancer. Now, he’s keen to encourage others to know their spots and get regular skin checks.
“Changes in spots or your skin can be early warning signs of skin cancer. And since most skin cancers are successfully treated when caught early, it can be lifesaving to #KnowYourSpots! ” shared Trent in an Instagram post on November 23.
