We don’t all need regular skin cancer screenings, but you can find out your risk and check it yourself

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world – almost 19,000 Australians Invasive melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, is diagnosed every year.

Although advanced melanoma can be fatal, if detected early it is highly curable.

But Australian clinical practice guidelines Health authorities do not recommend melanoma screening in the general population.

Given our reputation as the skin cancer capital of the world, why isn’t there a national screening program? Australia currently screens for breast, cervical and bowel cancer, and will begin screening for lung cancer in 2025.

It turns out that the question of whether to screen everyone for melanoma and other skin cancers is a intricate one. Here’s why.

Current approach

In addition to the 19,000 invasive melanomas diagnosed each year, approx 28,000 people melanoma in situ was diagnosed.

Melanoma in situ refers to very early stage melanoma in which the cancer cells are confined to the outer layer of the skin (epidermis).

Instead of a blanket screening program, Australia promotes skin protection, skin awareness and regular skin checks (at least once a year) in people aged high risk.

ABOUT one in three Australian adults have undergone a clinical skin examination in the last year.

Why not just do a skin check on everyone?

The aim of screening is to detect the disease early, before symptoms appear, helping to save lives and reduce morbidity.

However, there are several reasons why a national screening program has not yet been introduced.

We need to ask:

1. Does it save lives?

Many researchers say this is the goal of universal screening. But at least it would probably be a common screening for skin cancer lead to more melanoma diagnosesit may not necessarily save your life. This may result slow (slow-growing) cancers are diagnosed that could never cause harm. This is known as “overdiagnosis“.

Film adaptation will detect some cancers that people could safely live with if they didn’t know about them. The difficulty is recognizing which tumors are sluggish growing and can be safely left alone.

Receiving a diagnosis causes stress and is more likely to lead to additional medical procedures (such as surgery) that carry risks.

2. Is it value for money?

Implementing a nationwide screening program requires significant investment and resources. Its value to the healthcare system would need to be calculated to ensure the best exploit of resources.

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Read more: Yes, despite what you’ve heard on TikTok, you still need to wear sunscreen

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Narrower goals for better results

Instead of screening everyone, targeting high-risk groups proved more effective results. This allows efforts to be focused where they are needed most. Risk factors for skin cancer include fair skin, red hair, a history of sunburn, a high number of moles, and/or a family history.

Tests showed that society would largely accept a risk-adapted approach to melanoma screening.

Work is underway to establish a national targeted skin cancer screening program in Australia, in partnership with the Government recently donated $10.3 million to lend a hand fight “the most common cancer in our sun-baked country, skin cancer,” by focusing on those at higher risk.

Currently, Australian Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend that physicians appropriately assess all patients for future risk of melanoma.

Seeing with novel, technological eyes

Technological advances are increasing the accuracy of skin cancer diagnosis and risk assessment.

For example, researchers are examining full-body 3D skin imaging to monitor changes in spots and moles over time.

Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. can analyze images of skin lesions and support doctors in making decisions.

Genetic tests can now identify risk markers for more personalized control.

And telehealth did remote consultations possible by increasing access to specialists, especially in rural areas.

Check for yourself – 4 things worth paying attention to

Skin cancer can affect any skin type, so it’s worth getting to know your own skin. Skin Cancer College Australasia has launched a guide entitled SCAN your skinwhich instructs people to look for spots or areas on the skin that:

1. pain (flaking, itchy, bleeding, painful) and do not heal within six weeks

2nd change in terms of size, shape, color or texture

3. abnormal for you and look different, feel different or stand out from other spots and moles

4. novel and have recently appeared on your skin. Any novel moles or spots should be checked, especially if you are over 40.

If something seems different, make an appointment with your doctor.

You can self-assess your melanoma risk online using the website Melanoma Institute of Australia Or QIMR Berghofer Institute for Medical Research.