South Africa’s dermatologists are yielding to a call to participate in the country’s first ever National Skin Cancer Screening Day, which will take place on the first day of spring, 1 September 2014.
According to Dr Derek Odendaal, president of the South African Society for Dermatological Surgery and one of the founder members of the Skin Cancer Foundation of South Africa (SCFSA), the response from dermatologists to the call to action has been positive so far.
“This is all the more laudable given the fact that there are, according to the South African Society for Dermatological Surgery, South Africa only 167 practising dermatologists in South Africa, of which 110 are exclusively in private practice,” he comments.
“To compound this situation further, South Africa has the second highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. Because of the tremendous shortage of dermatologists as much as 79% of the population, who are unable to afford private care, have been left totally exposed,” he adds.
“National Skin Cancer Screening Day, is SCFSA’s way of mobilising each and every dermatologist in the country so that we can reach as many South Africans as possible – particularly those who would ordinarily not be afforded the opportunity of being screened for skin cancer.
“It is our aim to raise public awareness through the sharing of information that will assist in the prevention, early detection and treatment of skin cancer. To do this, we as dermatologists are pooling our resources to work together to help raise awareness of the dangers associated with excessive exposure to the sun. We also wish to encourage early detection for the scourge of skin cancer in our country,” Dr Odendaal says.
As part of the initiative the SCFSA, which was launched in September last year, has called on all South African dermatologists to take part in a National Skin Cancer Screening Day. They are also calling on the public to get themselves screened and to become sun savvy.
“We have appealed to all dermatologists to make themselves and their resources available to screen 20 patients as part of a special half-day session on a pro bono basis.
“These screenings are not mole-mapping procedures but will specifically guide patients and inform patients what to look out for. We will also teach them how to inspect themselves and their families for early signs of skin cancer while sharing the best prevention methods with them,” explains Dr Odendaal.
National Screening Day will be supported by an awareness campaign leading up to the event.
