Background/Aim
Skin Cancer is considered a largely preventable disease, however, represents a significant cancer burden in regional Victoria. Across 2 years, the Loddon Mallee Integrated Cancer Service’s skin cancer project, in collaboration with Murray Primary Health Network, La Trobe University Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, and Bendigo Regional Cancer Centre aimed to map existing Loddon Mallee Region (LMR) skin cancer services and identify challenges and opportunities across the care continuum while; increasing awareness of the serious health burden of skin cancer across the LMR primary care and health services and investigate potential skin cancer service improvements.
Methods
Year 1 focused on service mapping and targeted stakeholder engagement which included; Primary care survey with structured follow-up calls, key regional and rural health service site visits to gather local services knowledge, stakeholder engagement, formation of a multi-disciplinary Advisory Group and data analysis. Year 2 focused on identifying and implementing areas of service improvement.
Results
Through scoping and engagement with primary care, acute care, oncology, radiotherapy, pathology, and community-health services, this project provided comprehensive overview of the LMR skin cancer services. Opportunities were identified to strengthen early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and coordination of skin cancer care across a geographically dispersed rural region. Digital prevention campaigns and targeted workforce training proved feasible while strengthened collaboration and informed recommendations provide continued service improvement opportunities. This project formed a solid foundation of information, identified needs and enhanced intersectional collaboration culminating in a successful MRFF grant, led by La Trobe University, that has established the LMR collaborative, 5-year, ‘RISE4SkinCancer’ program.
Conclusions
Comprehensive assessment of the LMR skin cancer services, integrating service mapping, stakeholder engagement and multiple-source data can identify opportunities to strengthen regional skin cancer systems. The project provides opportunities to improve equitable access to comprehensive skin cancer care in regional Victoria.