Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 17, 2025

Establishment of a Clinic-based Biorepository
07:50

Establishment of a Clinic-based Biorepository

Published on: May 29, 2017

6.8K

A cross-sectional study of skin cancer secondary prevention in rural general practice

Scott Kitchener1, Janani Pinidiyapathirage2, Keegan Hunter3

  • 1MBBS, MD, DrPH, FAFPHM, Professor of Rural Medicine, School of Medicine, Griffith University, Qld.

Australian Journal of General Practice
|July 1, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

General practitioners (GPs) play a crucial role in secondary skin cancer prevention, especially for rural Australians. Early detection through whole-body skin examinations by GPs improves outcomes for melanoma and keratinocyte skin cancers (KSCs).

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Oncology
  • General Practice

Background:

  • Secondary prevention of skin cancer via active screening is not universally recommended due to limited mortality reduction evidence.
  • Rural Australians face challenges accessing specialized skin cancer care, impacting health outcomes.
  • General practice settings are key for evaluating secondary skin cancer prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of secondary skin cancer prevention within general practice.
  • To assess the role of general practitioners (GPs) in detecting melanoma and keratinocyte skin cancers (KSCs).

Main Methods:

  • A clinical audit was performed on 317 melanomas and 5463 KSCs.
  • The study examined the nature of consultations and the stage of cancer at diagnosis.

Main Results:

  • GPs identified smaller melanomas (≤1 mm) more frequently during planned whole-body skin examinations than patient-reported complaints.
  • Keratinocyte skin cancers (KSCs) were diagnosed as presenting complaints (49%), incidentally (21%), or during whole-body examinations (30%).
  • Half of all squamous cell carcinomas were detected at the intra-epidermal stage.

Conclusions:

  • Secondary skin cancer prevention by GPs offers significant value, particularly for rural populations.
  • Early detection of skin cancers in general practice improves patient outcomes.

More Related Videos

Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis06:53

Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis

Published on: August 21, 2013

12.8K
The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis11:39

The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis

Published on: July 11, 2013

39.3K

Related Concept Videos

Skin Cancer01:30

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
5.6K
Preventive Healthcare Services01:30

Preventive Healthcare Services

Preventive healthcare services keep people healthy via frequent check-ups, screening, and counseling. They primarily aid in disease prevention rather than treating an acute or chronic illness. Preventive treatment also keeps individuals productive and energetic, allowing them to work well into their retirement years. Examples of preventive care services include:
1.7K
Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
7.5K
Longitudinal Research02:20

Longitudinal Research

Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
13.0K
Levels of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention01:26

Levels of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention

Health promotion allows a person to control the determinants of health, resulting in an improved health status. It enhances the quality of life and reduces premature deaths. Health promotion and illness prevention programs help people make beneficial choices to reduce the risk of disease and disabilities. There are three health promotion and illness prevention levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.
In primary prevention, actions taken before disease onset prevent the disease from...
14.1K
Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives01:14

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives

The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
3.2K