Skin Cancer Blog

This month, we have a really interesting and relevant research letter to review and consider, concerning the proportion of melanomas managed by GPs in Australia. This was published in the Australasian Journal of Dermatology by Wu et al. I noted it in part because it referenced some research that I did a decade ago (how time flies)! The authors used Medicare billing data to look at trends in melanoma excision over time across Australia.

They show that the total number of excisions has risen from 23,000 to 38,000 from 2004 to 2014. GPs account for almost half of all melanoma excisions (49 percent) and that percentage has risen in the decade. The proportion of melanomas managed by GPs varies from a low of 33 percent in South Australia to a high of 66 percent in Queensland, and the proportion has increased in every state.

A simple report, and a really useful one, that confirms the very important role of GPs in melanoma treatment (as well as diagnosis). It is worth reading and reflecting on what it means for your practice.

Read the full paper here.

Professor David Wilkinson

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Read more from Professor David Wilkinson on recent research:

• Mohz Micrographic Surgery vs. Wide Local Excision for Melanoma In Situ
• Treating Melanoma in Primary Care
• How do you manage dysplastic nevi in your practice?

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Learn more about skin cancer medicine in primary care at the next Skin Cancer Certificate Courses: