The Skin Cancer College of Australia has expressed its disappointment with recent comments deriding skin cancer clinics, warning that attacks from within the medical profession will harm the fight against skin cancer.
SCCA Chief Executive Officer Lynette Hunt said the recent media comments by the President of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons fundamentally misunderstood the importance of skin cancer doctors in combatting the disease.
“Medical professionals in Australia have worked so long and hard to get the message out about the importance of regular skin checks in preventing and detecting cancer,” Ms Hunt said.
“The SCCA agrees there is no place for so-called ‘rogue’ or ‘cowboy’ doctors in any area of medicine.
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“However, all areas of medicine must be aligned to deliver safe patient care and maintain public confidence in our health system.
“Public comments (in the Nine newspapers last week) referring to ‘substandard skin-check clinics’ and diminishing the importance of General Practitioners do not advance the goal of working together to maintain public trust in the health system.
“We are concerned about comments which can deter patients from seeking a skin check because they are confused or scared about who to see. The SCCA President, Dr Angeline Barker, has now written to her ASPS counterpart inviting her to meet, observe SCCA GP training and tour a skin cancer clinic.”
In her letter, Dr Barker advises the Plastic Surgeons that the majority of skin checks, skin cancer diagnoses and treatments are done by GPs.
“Over 1,100,000 non-melanoma skin cancer services are performed each year,” she says.
“GPs who focus on skin cancer diagnosis and treatment therefore play a crucial role in managing the huge skin cancer disease burden and ensuring all Australians have access to diagnosis and treatment in a timely and cost-effective manner.” Dr Angeline Barker
“Early detection is underpinned by public trust in the capabilities of GPs and their motives. Your references to “substandard skin-check clinics” and “skin cancer clinics that happen to have a cosmetic procedure room” undermines this public confidence.”
Source: Skin Cancer College of Australia
