Twelve new scholarships have been introduced to help general practitioners (GPs) in regional Queensland enhance their knowledge and skills in skin cancer detection and treatment. Unveiled at the Australasian Skin Cancer Congress, these scholarships offer successful applicants access to specialized education designed to improve outcomes for patients facing this prevalent disease.
Queensland, known as the ‘skin cancer capital of the world,’ faces a significant burden from skin cancer. The scholarships provide access to key courses, including the Introduction to Skin Cancer course, which offers 6.5 continuing professional development (CPD) hours, and the more advanced Certificate of Dermoscopy, worth 27 CPD hours.
Dr. Tracey Purnell, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Dermatology, praised the new funding and expressed hope that it would be expanded to other states. She highlighted the importance of equipping GPs with skin cancer expertise, especially in light of recent funding dedicated to developing a national targeted skin cancer screening program. Dr. Purnell emphasized that most skin cancers are detected and managed within general practice, making it a cost-effective approach to combat the disease. She also stressed that identifying and treating skin cancer should be an essential skill in every GP’s toolkit.
The scholarships target GPs practicing in Queensland’s regional areas, including Mackay, Townsville, North West, South West, Central Queensland, and Central West. The program is delivered and co-funded by the Skin Cancer College Australasia and Queensland Health through CheckUP’s Skin Cancer Early Detection (SCED) initiative. This effort focuses on supporting GPs in rural, regional, and remote locations where skin cancer services are often limited or unavailable.
Since the SCED program launched in mid-2023, nearly two thousand Queenslanders from rural and remote communities have accessed early detection clinics for skin checks. Of those patients, 563 received treatment for suspected skin cancers, with 67% of cases confirmed as cancer through histological analysis.
Victoria Beedle, Chief Executive of the Skin Cancer College Australasia, underlined the critical importance of providing high-quality skin cancer education to GPs. She noted that in many communities, GPs are the only accessible medical professionals, and accurate diagnosis can be crucial for patient survival.
Dr. Purnell supported a system where patients first consult their regular GP for initial skin cancer assessment and care, with referrals made only if specialized treatment is necessary. She encouraged GPs to dedicate a portion of their ongoing professional development to staying updated on skin cancer medicine, emphasizing that skin cancer remains Australia’s national cancer.
Additional resources for GPs on skin cancer detection and treatment are available through the RACGP’s Red Book, further supporting practitioners in their role against this widespread health challenge.
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