Fears cancer checks in a holding pattern during pandemic

Experts fear COVID-19 has put cancer checks in a holding pattern, which could significantly impact diagnoses.

MELANOMA experts are worried skin checks have been put into a holding pattern during the coronavirus pandemic, with many people avoiding trips to their doctors.

The delays are concerning Melanoma Patients Australia CEO Victoria Beedle who fears the world’s focus on COVID-19 is preventing some people from getting suspicious skin spots assessed and from having scheduled skin examinations during the public health emergency.

STUDY UNCOVERS NEW MELANOMA CLUES

UQ VACCINE COULD BE IN PRODUCTION BY SEPTEMBER QUARTER

Australian Medical Association Queensland president Dilip Dhupelia confirmed general practitioners were reporting a “dramatic drop” in patients attending for preventive health checks, compounded by fear over the novel coronavirus.

Jessica Stafford was diagnosed with early stage melanoma in 2016. Photo: James Curtain

Pathology laboratories have reported a significant drop-off in medical testing during the coronavirus pandemic, including analysing tissue samples for cancer diagnoses.

Picking up melanomas early, before they have had a chance to spread to other parts of the body, greatly decreases a person’s chances of dying from the skin cancer.

While 97 Australians have lost their lives from COVID-19 during the pandemic, about 1700 are expected to die as a result of melanoma this year, including more than 300 Queenslanders.

Ms Beedle said Melanoma Patients Australia was also concerned the public health restrictions introduced during the pandemic meant some people were spending more time outdoors in the garden or exercising, increasing their sun exposure and raising their risk of developing melanoma.

She said people in Queensland, particularly, had to protect themselves from the sun all year round.

Surgeon Mark Smithers said he had received fewer referrals to treat melanoma patients in the past three weeks than usual.

“It’s true to say that there’s a bit of concern,” Professor Smithers said.

“People shouldn’t forget about their skin and looking after themselves.”

He advised Queenslanders to get their skin checked for cancers by a doctor at least once a year.

Jessica Stafford was diagnosed with a melanoma after her doctor found a suspicious-looking mole on the back of her leg. Photo: Richard Walker

Melanoma Patients Australia has also launched a campaign for people to use the full moon to remind them to do monthly self checks of their skin in between medical visits for skin examinations.

Gold Coast-based former swimsuit model Jessica Stafford was diagnosed with an early stage melanoma after her doctor found a suspicious-looking mole on the back of her right thigh in 2016.

“He saved my life,” Ms Stafford said.

The 41-year-old admits that as a younger women she “stupidly” went to solariums and spent “every waking moment” at the beach.

“That was 20-odd years ago and that was the thing you did, especially in my industry,” she said.

Ms Stafford hopes by speaking out about her own story, she will encourage others to be sun safe and to undergo regular skin examinations.