A new online course in melanoma detection is available free to hairdressers from today.
The course has been developed by skin cancer doctors after realising many patients are presenting to skin cancer GPs after an irregular mark on their skin was noticed by their hairdresser.
It has been recognised by Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath who encouraged hairdressers to use the resource, which could save a life.
Skin Cancer College Australasia CEO Lynette Hunt said the important role hairdressers play was highlighted by recent revelations by Minister D’Ath that her hairdresser possibly saved her life when she spotted an irregularity on her scalp that turned out to be a deadly melanoma.
“We often hear stories from our member doctors of people turning up to their skin cancer GP after their hairdresser, massage therapist or podiatrist noticed something different about their skin,’’ Ms Hunt said. “These workers see parts of our skin which we can’t easily see ourselves such as behind the ears, the scalp, or between our toes.”
“We developed this course to encourage people who see a lot of skin in their daily work to speak up and start a conversation with their clients about their skin health. We want to make it OK to speak up about skin.”
Ms D’Ath said she was so grateful her hairdresser spotted what turned out to be a melanoma on her scalp.
“Thanks to her vigilance I made an appointment with my doctor straight away and was booked in for treatment soon after,’’ Ms D’Ath said.
“Hairdressers can play a role in detecting skin cancers, so it’s great to see this new online resource being made available to them.
“I want to encourage all Queenslanders to get their skin regularly checked and to stay sun safe, especially as we enter summer.’’
Ms Hunt said melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer and the third most common cancer in Australia.
“Research published in JAMA Dermatology earlier this year[1] shows that showing global rates of melanoma skyrocketing in coming years with a predicted 50 per cent increase in cases and 68 per cent increase in deaths from melanoma in the next two decades,’’ Ms Hunt said.
Queensland radiation epidemiologist and Skin Cancer College Australasia director Professor Michael Kimlin said that in a country with the worst rates of skin cancer in the world, it made sense to spread the front line in the fight against skin cancer as widely as possible by increasing awareness and educating as many Australians as possible about skin lesions.
“Just getting people to visit their skilled medical professional is a huge problem in this country,’’ Professor Kimlin said. “Not enough lives are being saved because a deadly skin cancer was not detected early enough.
“Prevention of course is the long-term solution to this problem but the fact remains that there are large sections of the population walking around now with skin cancers that need to be treated. These are the people GPs need to be seeing right now and anyone who can help get them into their doctors’ rooms is a life saver.’’
Ms Hunt said the online course takes participants through five easy training modules introducing what skin cancer is, skin cancer risks and prevention, recognising suspicious lesions, skin cancer checks and treatments and how they can help.
Source: Skin Cancer College
Anyone interested in completing the course, which is available free of charge until January 31 and takes up to an hour to complete, can register via the Skin Cancer College Australasia website: https://www.
Reference: Global Burden of Cutaneous Melanoma in 2020 and Projections to 2040 – PubMed (nih.gov)
