It is recommended that all Australians get into the habit of checking their skin regularly (every three months) so they can spot skin cancer early when there is a better chance of successful treatment. It has been consistently shown that doctors have a strong influence over skin self-examination practices.

A Cancer Council survey conducted in 2005 found that, in the previous 12 months, 69% of GPs in NSW had diagnosed a melanoma and 94% had diagnosed a non-melanoma skin cancer.

To assist GPs in dealing with skin cancer inquiries Cancer Council has developed the following resources:

	GP reference card with information about melanoma, including nodular melanoma and other skin cancers
	Skin spots to watch tear-off information pad for patients

 

Your practice can order these and other Cancer Council resources free of charge.
To order please call the Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20.

 

Reducing the impact of skin cancer in NSW
– Strategic Plan 2007 – 2009

The strategic Plan 2007 – 2009 outlines the commitment of The Cancer Council NSW, the Cancer Institute NSW and NSW Department of Health toward skin cancer prevention. The plan will guide and coordinate skin cancer prevention initiatives across NSW identifying specific priority groups and settings to maximise impact. The plan sets out an objective of reducing community exposure to UV radiation with key result areas including improved sun protection behaviour, early detection and treatment of skin cancer and implementation of sun protection policies by industry groups.

Download document [ 258 KB]

 

Skin cancer prevention – Evidence paper

This paper summarises the current knowledge of skin cancer and skin cancer prevention in Australia. Areas covered in the document include affects of UV radiation, skin cancer rates and trends, sun protection knowledge, attitudes and behaviours at the population level and a summary of the current understanding of issues relating to early detection. This report is intended as a source document for practitioners working in the field and could be a useful reference to inform local action on skin cancer prevention.

Download document [ 393 KB]

 

Clinical Practice guidelines (link to National Health & Medical Research Council):

Clinical practice guidelines for the management of melanoma in Australia and New Zealand, 2008