Cancer Council SA grant empowers local GPs with skin cancer training that saves lives

The Dermoscopy Grant for GPs, funded through the generous support of South Australian community, offers local GPs the chance receive a fully funded dermatoscope alongside additional training to detect skin cancers early.

A dermatoscope is a specialised microscope for the skin, which allows doctors to look more closely at skin lesions than with the naked eye. This improves early detection of skin cancer, resulting in more lives saved, less unnecessary procedures and people accessing resources where they are most needed.

Cancer Council SA Senior Program Development Officer Karissa Deutrom said regional GPs were prioritised to receive the grant to help drive down the high skin cancer rates in regional communities.

“We know that regional South Australians have up to 31 per cent higher chance of developing skin cancer compared to those who live in metropolitan areas, which is why it’s important that GPs in high-risk regional communities receive up to date training and resources to detect skin cancer early.”

“The outcome of this important program will hopefully help to save South Australian lives,” she said.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia, with two in three Australians diagnosed with some form of skin cancer before the age of 70. Around 25,000 South Australians receiving a diagnosis every year.

Dr Stephan Van Eeden, a General Practitioner from Medical Clinic Millicent was one the recipients of the recent grant.

Receiving the dermatoscope, alongside additional training, has changed how he supports his patients to detect skin cancer early.

“Dermoscopy has become part of my daily practice to detect skin cancers in this rural location. Receiving the dermatoscope makes that possible.”

For more information on the grant email gpengagement@cancersa.org.au.

For more information on skin cancer prevention visit the Cancer Council SA website.