PATRON: His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d) Governor of NSW

Newsletter Winter

2017A Division of Skin & Cancer Foundation Australia

As winter sets in, it is easy to forget about our sun protection routines.

There is hardly a day that goes by when UV radiation does not threaten some acceleration in skin ageing or bringing forward the time when skin cancer appears. It should always be kept in mind that clouds block out the sun but not UV radiation. Even in winter it is important to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun and sun protection should be part of your everyday life.

Everyone, especially those over the age of 40 years or with a personal history of skin cancer, should have their skin regularly checked for skin cancers by a qualified doctor. If you become aware of any skin spots that look suspicious for skin cancer you should seek treatment immediately by seeing your GP or specialist dermatologist.

The use of a sunscreen is recommended year round, as well as other sun protection methods such as; wearing sunglasses, UP50+ clothing, a broad brim hat and seeking shade.

Take care of your skin and enjoy the winter season!

Warm regards, Dr Alice Killen, Chief Executive Officer

CEO Message

7 Ashley LaneWESTMEAD NSW 2145

121 Crown StreetDARLINGHURST NSW 2010

Phone: 02 8833 3000 | Fax: 02 8833 3080 | www.skin.com.au | info@scfa.edu.au

• Acne• Chronic/Advanced Eczema Clinic• Camouflage Clinic• Corporate Skin Checks• Cosmetic Dermatology• Female Dermatoses• Fungal Infections• General Dermatology• Hair and Nail Disease• Hair Reduction Clinic• HIV Skin Clinic• Hyperhidrosis• Immunology

• Laser/Light Therapies• Melanoma-Naevus, Non-Melanoma and Skin Cancer• Mohs Micrographic Skin Cancer Surgery• Oral Medicine/Pathology• Patch Testing/Allergies/Occupational Disease• Paediatric Dermatology• Pigmentary Disorders• Psoriasis/Biologics• UVB Phototherapy and PUVA Clinic• Vitiligo

Sub-specialty Clinics & Services

What Is A Safe Tan?Dr Charlotte Thomas | Dermatology Research Fellow The Skin Hospital

Research conducted by our team at the Skin & Cancer Foundation Australia suggests that Australian adults continue to experience sunburn. In our study, with over 650 participants, 57% had been sunburned within the previous year alone.

We also learned that the majority of Australian adults still perceive sun-tanned skin as beautiful and many reported that being sun-tanned increased their self-confidence. This was reported mostly by women and people in the younger (21-30 years) age-group. Sun-tanned skin was considered as looking healthier than pale skin by 15% of respondents.

Though there is some understanding that experiencing sunburn has a negative effect on our skin in terms of aging and skin cancer risk, there appears to be less understanding about the dangers of

sun tanning. A suntan is our skin’s way of trying to protect itself by trying to stop more damaging sunlight getting in.

Developing a suntan is your skin’s way of showing that it’s been hurt and preparing to protect itself from further injury. We did not look at the reason underlying these preferences for sun tans in this study, but it’s possible that the strong social “norms” favouring tanning may be promoted by implicit messages from the depiction of sun-tanned models, celebrities and sporting role models in the media.

The best way to keep your skin safe is staying out of the sun when the sun’s intensity is greatest (when the UV index is highest), wearing protective clothing including sunglasses, hats and long sleeves and regularly applying broad spectrum high factor (SPF50+) sunscreen to exposed areas.

 

AKA‐003 SCFA Advertisement version 1.0 dated 24th August 2015, S‐2 A/Prof Fernández‐Peñas

Psoriasis – Clinical Research Study

Do you have Psoriasis? Skin & Cancer Foundation Australia (The Skin Hospital), in conjunction with Akaal Pharma is conducting a clinical research study investigating a topical medication for the treatment of Psoriasis. We are seeking volunteers to participate in this study who have mild to moderate plaque type psoriasis.

To be eligible for this study you must be: • Aged between 18-65 years and generally healthy. • Have stable mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. • Be able to attend 7 visits at this clinic over a 7 week period.

If you are interested and would like more information, please contact Skin & Cancer Foundation Australia on (02) 8833 3023.

All study visits, investigation medication and procedures will be provided at no charge to you.

This trial is conducted according to Australian and International guidelines, and has been approved by Bellberry Human Research Ethics Committee.

AKA-003 SCFA Advertisement version 1.0 dated 24th August 2015, S-2 A/Prof Fernández-Peñas

Do you have Psoriasis?

Skin & Cancer Foundation Australia (The Skin Hospital), in conjunction with Akaal Pharma is conducting a clinical research study investigating a topical medication for the treatment of Psoriasis. We are seeking volunteers to participate in this study who have mild to moderate plaque type Psoriasis.

If you are interested and would like more information, please contact Skin & Cancer Foundation Australia on (02) 8833 3023.All study visits, investigation medication and procedures will be provided at no charge to you.This trial is conducted according to Australian and International guidelines, and has been approved by Bellberry Human Research Ethics Committee.

To be eligible for this Psoriasis study you must be:• Aged between 18-65 years and generally healthy.• Have stable mild to moderate plaque psoriasis.• Be able to attend 6 visits at this clinic over an 8 week period.

Psoriasis – Clinical Research StudyAs part of its mission, the Skin & Cancer Foundation Australia is committed to support and enhance research.

We have conducted several research studies during the past year. Some examples of these include;

• Looking at sun behaviour in Australian women, improving patient information and education regarding UVB treatment

• Comparing skin cancer attitudes among patients in Australia and Spain

• Analysing cost of Mohs surgery and investigating outcomes of scars in different surgical techniques

We have published seven studies this year in reputable medical journals, which contribute to educating medical professionals in the dermatology field.

Our research department has started collecting samples for the first Dermatology Bio Bank in Australia which will contribute to our understanding of dermatological diseases and skin cancers at a biological level and ultimately lead to better treatment.

These research studies will not be possible without the support of our patients, doctors, nursing staff and reception staff and we would like to thank everyone who has been involved in our research studies in the past and present.

Research - What are we up to?

Skin & Cancer Foundation Australia Hand Hygiene Compliance Report

Audit 1 84% 94.4% 81.7%

83.9% 95% 87.5%

84.1% 83.2% 87.9%

Audit 2016 National Average Darlinghurst Westmead

Audit 2

Audit 3

The Skin & Cancer Foundation Australia Westmead Day Surgery has achieved 2% above the national result for hand hygiene compliance. This great result is due to the new procedures

implemented for nurses and doctors, led by our Infection Control Co-ordinator at Westmead and Darlinghurst.

Hand Hygiene Audit

Infection Prevention & Control Systems Audit – Results: DH: 100% WM: 100%Infection Control Environmental Audit Results: DH: 98.7% WM: 99%Infection rates remain very low at: DH: 0.24% WM: 0.67%

Hand Hygiene Audit Results:

March SeptemberDH: 79.7% DH: 89%WM: 100% WM: 82%

Upcoming Events

at SCFA

InvitationChairman’s Morning Tea You are warmly invited to Morning Tea with The Chairman of Skin & Cancer Foundation Australia, A/Professor Stephen Shumack OAM, in appreciation of your loyal support.

A/Professor Shumack and Dr Hanna Kuchel will speak about “Caring for Our Skin as We Get Older” and “Cosmetic procedures- are they safe? Will it look natural?”

Monday 22 May 2017 10.30am - 12 noon

The Founders’ Wing, Skin & Cancer Foundation Australia 121 Crown Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010

RSVP by 15 May 2017

to Katherine Hutton events@scfa.edu.au

or (02) 8651 2047

Support Us!Unable to join us? We would love you to support us!

Please sponsor our team by making a tax deductible online donation at:

www.fundraise.city2surf.com.au

For more info please contact Katherine Hutton at: khutton@scfa.edu.au or phone 02 8651 2000

Join Us!Come and join The Skin Hospital team and raise money for a great cause while having a fun time!

23rd August 2017

Fundraising NewsTo all our supporters, we say an enormous thank you. It is heart warming for everyone at Skin & Cancer Foundation Australia to see the support we receive from our donors - be they volunteers, individual supporters, dermatologists or large corporations. We are indebted to you all for helping to make the Foundation, including The Skin Hospital, the leading centre of dermatology it is today.

End of Financial Year Appeal - Surgery Mats

We need your help!

Christmas AppealWe thank all our loyal supporters who recently

supported our Christmas Appeal. With your help it enables us to update our equipment for our day surgery and dermatology clinics to treat

patients suffering from skin cancer and skin disease.

121 Crown Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010

Phone: 02 8651 2000Fax: 02 8651 2033

7 Ashley Lane Westmead NSW 2145

Phone: 02 8833 3000 Fax: 02 8833 3080

www.skin.com.au | info@scfa.edu.au

Like us on Facebook

Please support our appeal for state of the art surgery mats. The Mega Soft patient return electrode mats are used on the operating room table, virtually eliminating the need for the small disposable sticky pad that can damage the patient’s skin.

They are specially designed to provide the highest level of patient safety. These surgery mats combines return electrode technology with a pressure reduction overlay, increasing patient comfort and reducing the risk of injury, whilst cauterisation takes place to stop or prevent heavy bleeding during an operation.

We have 10 surgery theatres and would like to have these megamats available in all our theatres. Therefore we are hoping to fundraise to the value of $45,000 for our End of Financial Year Appeal.

All donations $2 and above are tax deductable. Skin & Cancer Foundation Australia has Authority to Fundraise for Charitable Purposes- Number: CFN12619

PATRON: His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d) Governor of NSW

Newsletter Summer

2016A Division of Skin & Cancer Foundation Australia

As summer approaches and the weather is heating up, there is an even greater need for vigilance and we include here our summer skin protection plan. We have listed the important steps for skin protection in this issue of the newsletter.

To all our supporters we say an enormous thank you. Due to your generosity, our skin surgery appeal reached its target and we will shortly allocating the new equipment for our day surgeries. However, fundraising was not only confined to patients, with our Skin Hospital team completing the Sun Herald City2Surf also raising much needed funds to also purchase equipment. It is terrific to know we have such support from the whole Skin Hospital community. Together we are making a vital difference in the care and long term health outcomes for our patients at The Skin Hospital.

If you can continue to support us for our Christmas Appeal, it would be greatly appreciated. We are hoping to install Surgery Mats for our theatres which will benefit our patients that are coming in for skin cancer surgery.

I would like to wish you all a very a safe and healthy festive season.

Warm regards, Dr Alice Killen, Chief Executive Officer

CEO Message

7 Ashley LaneWESTMEAD NSW 2145

121 Crown StreetDARLINGHURST NSW 2010

Phone: 02 8833 3000 | Fax: 02 8833 3080 | www.skin.com.au | info@scfa.edu.au

What is Dermatology?

Fundraising NewsTo all our supporters, we say an enormous thank you. It is heart warming for everyone at Skin & Cancer Foundation Australia to see the support we receive from our donors - be they volunteers, individual supporters, dermatologists or large corporations. We are indebted to you all for helping to make the Foundation, including The Skin Hospital, the leading centre of dermatology it is today.

Our Christmas Appeal - Surgery Mats

The goal is $45,000 and we would be very grateful for any assistance.

SKIN & CANCER FOUNDATION AUSTRALIA

Season’s Greetings!From the staff at The Skin Hospital and

Skin & Cancer Foundation Australia

Our clinics and day surgery will be closed between: Westmead: 23rd December 2016 - 9th January 2017Darlinghurst: 23rd December 2016 - 4th January 2017

The Skin Hospital wishes you all a joyous festive season and a healthy

and happy 2017

Both Darlinghurst and Westmead will close for the Christmas holiday season on Friday 23rd December.

Westmead will open: 9th January 2017 Darlinghurst will open: 4th January 2017

Skin Cancer Surgery AppealOur mid year Skin Cancer Surgery Appeal has been very successful with our target of $55,000 reached!

We thank all our loyal supporters and invite you to support our christmas appeal.

We are delighted to report that all 17 of the Skin Hospital City2Surf team completed the 14km course with great distinction.

A wonderful time was had by all - if not in hours and minutes, then fun and laughter.

Driven on by the promise of great riches had been given in sponsorship, and fuelled by an excellent bowl of pasta at our carbo-loading dinner at Bill & Toni’s, nothing, not even Heartbreak Hill, was going to stop our valiant band.

We would like to thank all participants for their support and look forward to doing it again next year.

Please feel free to join us next year!

City2Surf Trail Blazers

SKIN & CANCER FOUNDATION AUSTRALIA

The skin is the largest organ of the body. Almost one person in five who consults a general practitioner will do so because of a skin complaint. While most cases are easily dealt with, the GP may decide to confirm a diagnosis or gain assistance with management. This is when the patient is referred to a dermatologist.

Dermatology is the medical science of diagnosing and treating skin diseases affecting the skin, hair, and nails.

Dermatologists are doctors, who have undertaken six or more years of university study to gain their medical degree. This is followed by training and practice as a junior hospital doctor for at least 2 years. Many doctors will also undertake scientific research into skin diseases or skin cancer during this time . In Australia, and many other countries, there is a comprehensive and competitive selection process to be accepted into the training scheme for dermatology. Once a doctor is selected they then undertake an additional four years of intensive supervised study, research, and clinical practice in approved training institutions such as the The Skin Hospital. During the training the candidates have to pass rigorous series of examinations to ensure that Australia produces the highest standard of dermatology specialist. After passing these exams the trainee obtains a Fellowship of the Australasian College of Dermatologists (FACD) and is qualified to practice as a dermatologist.

Qualified Dermatologists are expected to continue to maintain their professional standards and education. The Skin Hospital

provides further education for Dermatologists and CPD points are provided through the Australasian College of Dermatologists.

Many dermatologists throughout Australia have been trained in skin cancer surgery. When patients require more extensive skin cancer surgery, they may be referred to a qualified Mohs surgeon. The training to become a qualified Mohs surgeon is a one-year fellowship, during which the dermatologist acquires extensive experience in all aspects of this advanced technique. The Skin Hospital is an accredited training facility for Mohs Surgery Fellows.

Dermatologists diagnose and treat more than 3,000 different diseases including skin cancer, atopic eczema, acne, vitiligo, psoriasis, alopecia areata, vitiligo and pigmentary conditions and occupational dermatitis. Also, given their intimate skin knowledge and medical science training, dermatologists are uniquely placed to deliver effective and safe cosmetic services (e.g. laser and light therapy, muscle relaxants, fillers).

While some Dermatologists will consult on al l general dermatology others may undertake further training, study and research to become experts in a dermatology subspecialty such as: Paediatric Dermatology, Allergy Patch Testing, advanced surgical techniques , and Laser & Cosmetic Dermatology.

Before your visit with your Dermatologist you need to have a referral from your GP (or another specialist) if you wish to get a rebate back from Medicare.

Please support our appeal for state of the art surgery mats. The Mega Soft patient return electrode mats are used on the operating room table, virtually eliminating the small disposable sticky pad that can damage our patient’s skin. They are specially designed to provide the highest level of patient safety for patients. These surgery mats combines return electrode technology with a pressure reduction overlay, increasing patient comfort and reducing the risk of injury.

We have 10 skin cancer surgery theatres and we would like to have these megamats available in all our theatres, therefore we are hoping to fundraise to the value of $45,000 for our Christmas Appeal.

The goal is $45,000 and we would be very grateful for any assistance.

www.skin.com.au/donate