Website listing melanoma trials and events in Australia and New Zealand

Revision of NHMRC/ACNs Clinical practice guidelines on non-melanoma skin cancer: guidelines for the treatment and management in Australia (1992) to benefit general practitioners who provide the majority of care for those suffering from non-melanoma skin cancer to assist in sound decision-making.

The Guidelines are guides and are neither rules nor are they prescriptive in any way. The Guidelines are produced mainly for those practitioners who are providing the majority of care to people with non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in Australia. The data indicate that general practitioners compromise the majority providing this care; hence the Guidelines primarily should be of benefit to them. Solar radiation is the major environmental cause of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Comprehenisve oncologist approved information about melanoma.

A guide is also available for Skin Cancer (Non-Melanoma)

Each guide provides information on:

• Overview
• Medical Illustrations
• Risk Factors
• Prevention
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Staging With Illustrations
• Treatment
• Clinical Trials Resources
• Side Effects, After Treatment
• Current Research
• Questions to Ask the Doctor
• Patient Information Resources

The Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Melanoma in Australia and New Zealand (2008) were developed by an expert team to provide the evidence for optimal care and will assist general practitioners, dermatologists, surgeons and others in clinical decision making when managing patients with melanoma.

Also available is an Ocular and Periocular Melanoma supplementary document:

http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/file/publications/synopses/cp111-ocular-melanoma.pdf

This case study recounts the experience of Jenny, a 55-year-old female diagnosed with melanoma. This case study aims to facilitate the development of competencies that reflect the role of the Specialist Cancer Nurse (SCN) in managing disease and treatment related care for a person at risk of or diagnosed with melanoma across the cancer journey.

The case study contains four sections:

• Reduce risk
• Find the condition early
• Have the best treatment and support during active treatment
• Have the best treatment and support between and after active treatment.

This primary care melanoma module includes resources and information specific to melanoma and other skin cancers, treatments and side effect management, clincial tools, an opioid conversion calculator and safe handling of cytotoxics.

Free registration is required to access the site.

The NGC's mission is to provide physicians and other health professionals and others an accessible mechanism for obtaining objective, detailed information on clinical practice guidelines and to further their dissemination, implementation, and use.

All of the criteria below must be met for a clinical practice guideline to be included in NGC:

• The clinical practice guideline contains systematically developed statements that include recommendations, strategies, or information that assists physicians and/or other health care practitioners and patients to make decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances.
• The clinical practice guideline was produced under the auspices of medical specialty associations; relevant professional societies, public or private organizations, government agencies at the Federal, State, or local level; or health care organizations or plans. A clinical practice guideline developed and issued by an individual not officially sponsored or supported by one of the above types of organizations does not meet the inclusion criteria for NGC.
• Corroborating documentation can be produced and verified that a systematic literature search and review of existing scientific evidence published in peer reviewed journals was performed during the guideline development. A guideline is not excluded from NGC if corroborating documentation can be produced and verified detailing specific gaps in scientific evidence for some of the guideline's recommendations.
• The full text guideline is available upon request in print or electronic format (for free or for a fee), in the English language. The guideline is current and the most recent version produced. Documented evidence can be produced or verified that the guideline was developed, reviewed, or revised within the last five years.

Downloadable clinical practice guidelines developed and endorsed by NCCN for:

• Melanoma
• Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers
• Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans
• Merkel Cell Carcinoma

This case study recounts the experience of Justin, a 16-year-old male diagnosed with osteosarcoma. This case study aims to facilitate the development of competencies that reflect the role of the Specialist Cancer Nurse (SCN) in delivery of supportive care, including provision of information and education for people affected by osteosarcoma in adolescents and young adults (AYA).

The case study contains four sections:

• Find the condition early
• Have the best treatment and support during active treatment
• Have the best treatment and support between and after active treatment
• Have the best care at the end of life.

library of downloadable clinical practice guidelines developed in the UK and internationally relating to the diagnosis, treatment and management of skin cancers, including:

• Malignant melanoma
• Basal cell carcinoma
• Squamous carcinoma
• Kaposi sarcoma

The Skin Cancer Foundation has set the standard for educating the public and the medical profession about skin cancer, its prevention by means of sun protection, the need for early detection, and prompt, effective treatment.

It is the only international organization devoted solely to combating the world’s most common cancer, now occurring at epidemic levels.

The Skin Cancer Foundation is dedicated to reducing the incidence of skin cancer through a combination of research, public education and awareness.

Medical content on SkinCancer.org is adapted from The Skin Cancer Foundation's publications including patient education brochures on skin cancer, the medical professional newsletter The Melanoma Letter, The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal and The Sun & Skin News.

All medical content is reviewed or authored by physicians, most of whom are dermatologists specializing in skin cancer.

A searchable database of internationally developed clinical guidelines relating to the screening, diagnosis, treatment and managment of skin cancers.

An increased understanding of the genetic basis of melanoma has resulted in the development of therapies targeted to particular genetic abnormalities. These genetic profiles are associated with dysregulated molecular pathways, including activated or mutated genes.

ASCO has recently partnered with CollabRx to develop an innovative, web-based decision support tool that enables physicians and their patients to better understand emerging cancer therapies in melanoma, and to identify diagnostic tests, treatments, and clinical trials associated with the unique molecular profiles of patients' tumors.  This new initiative is an effort to provide quality and timely information to ASCO members to help them deliver the highest quality care to their patients. 

The Targeted Therapy Finder - Melanoma, is a new search engine that can find specific information on melanoma treatments, diagnostic tests, and relevant clinical trials that are linked to specific genetic profiles. The resource is meant for use by physicians, patients, and care givers.

Comprehensive, authoritative, evidence-based information regarding skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, Pagets Disease, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma and the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.  

Multimedia resources including anatomical drawings are available on the site. 

Information regarding the most commont types of skin cancers, including:

• Basal Cell Carcinoma (Bcc)
• Why You Need To Treat Bcc's
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Malignant Melanoma
• Other Types Of Skin Cancers

A range of clinical guidelines developed by NHS according to evidence about skin cancers, including:

• Malignant melanoma: UK and International guidelines
• Basal cell carcinoma: UK and International guidelines
• Squamous carcinoma: UK and International guidelines
• Kaposi sarcoma: UK and International guidelines

These guidelines were developed to formalise and standardise the ways in which patients with the most common skin tumours and precancerous conditions are managed and in which health professionals in primary care are involved in their care.  

The Australasian College of Skin Cancer Medicine is the Professional body of skin cancer doctors in Australia and New Zealand.

The College supports Fellows and Members by providing training and continuing medical education in skin cancer management.

The College has set the standard for certification in the management of skin cancer in Australasia with courses including Certificate courses, diploma courses, fellowships and honorary qualifications. The College also runs CPD workshops for health professionals.

The Melanoma and Skin Cancer Group provides the opportunity for scientific communicating between several quite different clinical, epidemiological and laboratory based groups interested in aspects of skin cancer.

Basic melanoma biology, epidemiology of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, dermatology and the surgical and medical management of melanoma are prominent interests. The clinical trials committee sponsors prospective clinical trials, particularly those involving multi-centre collaboration.

Members of the group come from diverse backgrounds, including surgery, dermatology, epidemiology, laboratory research, data management, nursing, medical oncology, palliative care and radiation oncology.

This embraces the management of melanoma and other skin cancers in a multidisciplinary framework – now internationally recognised as the standard of care for patients with cancer.  This relies on co-ordination of treatment with dermatologists, surgical, medical and radiation oncologists, cancer nurses and palliative care specialists, together with input from diagnostic specialties such as pathology and radiology.

One of the main aims of the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Group is to cross discipline boundaries, not only in clinical care but also importantly in both clinical and laboratory research.

The Melanoma and Skin Cancer Group has about 50 members and meets to develop education and research trial opportunities in the clinical practice of the care of cancer patients, and foster both laboratory based and clinical research.

This occurs principally during the COSA Annual Scientific Meeting program, together with the main member(s) who organise the detailed program in the host city where the meeting is being held each year.

The focus and aims of the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Group include:

• education and professional development;
• comprehensive cancer care;
• multidisciplinary framework of care;
• research;
• solid foundations in the science and clinical management of cancers;
• clinical research facilitation, particularly in multi-centre clinical trials;
• cross-disciplinary education;
• voicing the needs and requirements of practitioners and patients;
• providing career pathways; and
• national and international collaboration

The Melanoma Foundation was established in 1984 as a charitable foundation of the University of Sydney. With the ultimate goal of finding a cure for melanoma, the foundation continues to foster a culture of research for both the clinical and non clinical members within the University of Sydney and support the training of the next generation of researchers and academics.

Affiliated with St Vincents Hospital, Sydney and based in the Poche Centre at The University of Sydney, the Melanoma Institute Australia based is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to minimising the impact of melanoma through innovative research, treatment and education programs. It evolved from the Sydney Melanoma Unit established in the early 1960’s to provide a world class treatment facility for melanoma patients.

Melanoma Patients Australia is a website that aims to provide information about treatment options. a national network of peer support and to provide a forum for melanoma patients, their family and friends to meet and share experiences.

Free membership is available to Medical professionals, carers, family, friends and patients.

A UK document aimed at shaping service delivery and defining a detailed practical framework for modern skin cancer care.

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia, with around 400,000 new cases per year. However, data on incidence and prevalence are not routinely collected.

This report analyses data on NMSC available from the national general practice, hospitalisation and mortality collections to illustrate the burden of NMSC in Australia.

Differentials by population subgroup (geographic region, socioeconomic status and country of birth) are provided where possible.

ASCO's Melanoma Portal offers melanoma specific resources including the latest information from:

• ASCO's Virtual Meeting
• The Journal of Clinical Oncology
• Melanoma Clinical Practice Guidelines
• Meeting abstracts
• Educational Book manuscripts
• ASCO Daily News.

HemOnc Today strives to be the global, definitive information source for oncology and hematology professionals by delivering timely, accurate, authoritative and balanced reports on clinical issues, socioeconomic topics and industry developments relating to skin cancers, as well as presenting clinically relevant information on medical therapies for the benefit of the patient.

The Imedex E-Learning Center is designed to meet the needs of the busy healthcare professional with a complete suite of innovative E-learning products. Dozens of clinically-relevant, accredited activities are available to practitioners every day at no charge, focusing on impacting the clinical management of patients around the world.

Melanoma and skin cancer activities include webcasts, interactive case studies and podcasts.

Providing relevant, high quality and up-to-date information, MedConnect is a gateway to leading local and international medical news, research, events and resources to allow health care professionals to stay connected to the most important developments in medicine.

The skin cancer page features the latest news, research, drugs, podcasts, videos, articles, conferences and events.  

Users can sign up for free to receive daily news feeds and journal summaries about their specialist topic.

Information relating to current clinical trials at the MIA that may be available to eligible melanoma patients.

Information is also included for doctors, nurses, scientists, research assistants, data managers, pharmacists, and other health professionals who wish to be involved in the multi-site research.

A Melanoma Research Database is also kept to coordinate research efforts.

Information and facts for consumers regarding sun safety and myths, prevention of skin cancers, types of skin cancers and early detection. The site also includes a skin cancer risk tool.

Information about the genetic risk of basal cell carcinoma and methods of preventing the development of the disease.

The deCODEme Genetic Scan identifies these six genetic variants and uses them to provide customers of European descent with a personalized interpretation of their genetic risk for developing Basal Cell Carcinoma.

At present, the necessary scientific information to interpret the genetic risk for individuals of other ethnicities is not available. This information will be added as soon as it becomes available and we are assured of its quality.

The National Skin Cancer Awareness Campaign was designed to educate Australian teenagers aged 14-17 years about the seriousness of, and their susceptibility to, skin cancer and increase the adoption and awareness of the five key sun protection behaviours:

1. Seek shade
2. Wear sun protective clothing that covers as much of your body as possible
3. Put on a broad-brimmed hat that shades your face, neck and ears
4. Wear wrap-around sunglasses
5. Apply SPF30+ broad spectrum water resistant sunscreen every two hours.

Fact sheets and campaign materials are available for download.

The melanoma cancer risk assessment is an interactive tool that allows doctors to estimate a person's absolute risk of developing invasive melanoma (skin cancer) over the next 5 years for people age 20 to 70 years. The tool allows doctors to identify individuals at higher risk of melanoma in order to plan appropriate screening interventions with them.

Information from the National Cancer Institute regarding skin cancer prevention, screening and detection, including:

• Prevention, Genetics, and Causes of Skin Cancer
• Screening and Testing for Skin Cancer

Published by the Skin Cancer Prevention Working Group ( SCPWG), Under the Queensland Sun is the 5 year strategic plan for the reduction of Skin Cancer in Queensland.

A PDF containing links to a wide range of international resources regarding sun safety and skin cancer prevention.

World Health Organisation fact sheet regarding the dangers related to artificial tanning and UV exposure in increasing the risk of skin cancer.

Information including posters, position statements and brochures that health professionals can use to educate their patients and the general public about skin cancer prevention and sun safety.

A booklet to present current recommendations on screening for cancer and a useful reference tool for general practitioners who are confronted with cancer screening issues in their day to day practice. Eight common malignancies have been included in this review of screening recommendations: breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, melanoma, ovarian, prostate and testicular cancer.

• Part 1 is concerned with definitions and distinctions between screening and ad hoc case-finding of malignant neoplasms.
• Part 2 of the booklet deals with specific information regarding screening for each of the eight cancers.

Information regarding early detection and treatment of skin cancers, including melanoma.

Based on the clinical practice guidelines for melanoma developed by NHMRC, this brief guide assists general practitioners to develop diagnostic skills to recognise melanoma in the early stages, including practice points, clinical diagnosis guides and examples of visual appearances of melanoma.

Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering have developed a prediction tool (nomogram) to calculate the likelihood that disease has spread to lymph nodes in patients with melanoma. It is designed to individualize the risk estimate for each patient with better discrimination than the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system. This user-friendly nomogram takes several characteristics into account simultaneously to predict the presence of metastasis, or the cancer's spread, to nearby lymph nodes when a sentinel node biopsy is performed.

This webpage summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on screening for skin cancers. Supporting documents to the recommendations can also be downloaded.

This Profiler tool includes information for melanoma of the skin, the most common type of melanoma. Other types of melanoma (ocular (eye), mucosa or other organs), and other types of skin cancer (slow growing squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma of the skin) are not addressed in this tool.

The Melanoma Profiler treatment decision support tool helps you understand how your diagnosis, test results, and medical history affect your treatment options. Your free Treatment Options Report will include descriptions of treatments, side effects, and questions to ask your doctor…customized for your unique diagnosis.

Information about radiation therapy treatment options for patients skin cancers, including downloadable PDF fact sheets including information about possible side effects of treatment.

Provides links to a wide range of evaluated resources and learning activities in the areas of supportive and psychosocial care, including survivorship.

CareSearch is an online collection of evidence based resources relating to palliative care. This Australian web site provides access to scientific abstracts, government reports, refereed journal articles and sources of data. It also contains information on national research and other projects, resources for patients and carers, models of service provision and educational opportunities including online learning packages

Provides links to a wide range of evaluated resources and learning activities in the areas of palliative care, pain management and end of life planning.

• Basal cell carcinoma
• Melanoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma

Consumer information from Cancer Council Australia regarding the incidence, mortality, prevention, detection, symptoms, risk factors and treatment of melanoma. Information is also available on non melanoma skin cancers.

Further information is also available on the state and territory Cancer Council websites:

Consumer information from Cancer Council NSW regarding the incidence, mortality, prevention, detection, symptoms, risk factors and treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers.

Consumer information from The Cancer Council regarding the incidence, mortality, prevention, detection, symptoms, risk factors and treatment of melanoma.

Information is also available on the national, state and territory Cancer Council websites:

• NSW: Melanoma
• Victoria: Melanoma
• SA: Melanoma
• WA: Skin cancer

Information relating to the symptoms of melanoma and potential investigative tools that may lead to a diagnosis of skin cancer.

Consumer targeted overview of  melanoma and skin cancers including information regarding risk factors, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and links to a patient resource centre.

Melanoma Patients Australia is a website that aims to provide information about treatment options. a national network of peer support and to provide a forum for melanoma patients, their family and friends to meet and share experiences.

Free membership is available to Medical professionals, carers, family, friends and patients.

At Melanoma.com, you'll find information about melanoma, treatment options, how to talk to your doctor, and living with melanoma. You can learn what to do if you're worried about a mole on your skin, find out how to protect yourself and your family from melanoma in the future and learn how much today's medical teams have to offer: precise diagnoses and insights for melanoma management.

Comprehensive information regarding melanoma and skin cancers.

A comprehensive online skin cancer resource providing information regarding types of skin cancers, preventative strategies and treatment options.

Information about potential treatments that may be used to treat a diagnosis of melanoma.