Skin Cancer
Prevention, Screening & Overall Management of Skin Cancer
2 out of 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70.D Each year, Australians are 4 times more likely to develop skin cancer than any other form of cancer.E In Tasmania, melanoma is the 3rd most common type of cancer in both males and in females.F
Prevention & Screening of Skin Cancers- according to age & risk stratification
Schematic developed based on recommendations from Red Book guidelines
AFP’s Skin checks: http://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2012/july/skin-checks/
AFP’s Dermatoscopy for GPs: http://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2012/july/dermatoscopy-in-routine-practice/
CCA’s When to refer summary card (including photos): http://www.cancer.org.au/content/pdf/HealthProfessionals/ClinicalGuidelines/NMSCGPsummarycardNov2008.pdf
Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers (NMSC)
In Australia, NMSCs are almost 7 times more prevalent than all other cancers combined. Opportunistic screening is important and needs to become a routine part of general practice as GPs remove an estimated ½ of these lesions. Excision is the gold standard, curing 96% of NMSCs.X
AFP’s NMSC management guide for GPs: http://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2012/july/management-of-nonmelanoma-skin-cancers/
AFP’s NMSC treatment options: http://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2012/july/nonmelanoma-skin-cancers-treatment-options/ (Dr. In Launceston)
CCA’s Pathway for management of NMSC. Figure 14.1 (Pg. 123) GP focus B. Raasch 2008
Melanoma
Most melanomas are detected by patients who find a new or changing skin lesion.Z Patients who present with pigmented lesions should be encouraged to know their own skin and look out for new lesions and changes in shape, size or colour of lesions.Y
Opportunistic skin examinations, conducted by physicians using dermoscopy under good lighting, may also help to identify melanoma. Note that approximately 15% of melanomas are misdiagnosed as NMSC due to their symmetrical, nodular, pink or red appearance.Y
AFP’s Melanoma management guide for GPs: http://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2012/july/melanoma-guide/
CCVic’s: Melanoma calculator: http://victorianmelanomaservice.org/calculator/?page=calculator&type=healthprofessional
CCA’s Melanoma – An Aide Memoire to Assist Diagnosis
CCVic’s Melanoma and other skin cancers: a guide for medical practitioners
http://www.sunsmart.com.au/downloads/resources/brochures/melanoma_other_skin_cancers_gp_guide.pdf
NHMRC guidelines for the management of melanoma 2008
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines/publications/cp111
Additional resources:
http://www.sunsmart.com.au/general_practitioners/gp_resources
By CCVic; Contains ppt presentations from a skin cancer workshop for health professionals at Peter MacCallum Centre & Clinical Guidelines, Summary Cards for Health Professionals, etc.