The management of skin cancer in Australian general practice

Chris Del Mar, University of Queensland

Abstract

This thesis looks at the management of skin cancer in general practice from a number of viewpoints. In the literature review (Chapter 1) it is shown that there is surprisingly high potential for both non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and melanoma to contribute to the workload of Australian general practitioners (GPs). This is because NMSC is so common. More than 50% of Australians will be affected by NMSC during their lifetimes, which makes it the most common cancer to affect Australians. It is more common than all other cancers combined. Clearly this is likely to have an impact on the delivery of primary medical care.

Melanoma on the other hand has a considerably lower incidence ranking fifth among all cancers in Australia (at 3400 in 1988) but only ninth equal among causes of death from cancer per year (at 600 in 1988).

Skin cancer forms an important part of Australian general practice. Melanoma is the most important area of skin cancer. GPs face considerable challenges to diagnosing between melanomas and benign naevi. An intervention has been devised that appears to help them in this. There may also be areas of primary prevention that GPs could make a new and useful contribution.