Here is an interview with Dr. Peter Kim, where he talks about the need for better Medicare rebates to make skin cancer checks more affordable for everyone.
With summer just around the corner and the Cancer Council’s National Skin Cancer Action Week held this week, Australians are being reminded to visit their doctor for a skin check.
The Australian Medical Association is backing National Skin Cancer Action Week this year by highlighting the danger posed by Australia’s ‘national cancer’ and the importance of early detection with skin checks.
AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said Australians cannot be complacent as Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world.
“While much has changed since Dorothy Mackellar wrote how she loved a sunburnt country, for many of us Australia is still synonymous with sunshine, outdoor activities and the beach,” Dr McMullen said.
“Australians spend a great deal of time in the sun, whether it be playing sport or enjoying recreation, and for many people their everyday work requires them to spend long periods outside.
“It is no surprise then roughly two out of every three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer at some stage of their lives.”
Dr McMullen said while the incidence of skin cancer is extremely high, the success rate of early detection and treatment was something to celebrate.
“We know that with early detection through the form of a skin check most of these skin cancers can be treated with somewhere in the order of a 98 per cent success rates,” she said.
Dr Peter Kim, the principal doctor at Eastwood Skin Cancer Clinic said that as a medic with 20 years of experience in the field, he commended the AMA’s efforts to raise awareness but suggested there was still some important advocacy work to be done.
“I believe the AMA’s reminder to check for skin cancer is crucial, given its significant impact on premature death and morbidity in Australia,” he told The Weekly Times.
“However, it’s hard to understand why the AMA hasn’t lobbied for an increase in the Medicare rebate for skin cancer checks.
“There’s no point in adding anxiety about skin checks when people can’t afford to pay the gap in medical care.”
Dr Kim said he would like to see candidates in Bennelong and surrounding electorates make election pledges to increase Medicare rebates for skin cancer checks.
