Health: Skin Cancer

Baroness Gardner of Parkes Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd July 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

Health Education England is aware that insufficient time is spent on dermatology issues in the training of junior doctors, and it is considering that very seriously.

[Baroness Gardner of Parkes (Con)]

My Lords, as someone who had skin cancer 40 years ago, I have a check-up every year. The services are excellent but the most important thing in the context of this Question is that we are now getting the early diagnosis. Does the Minister agree that the most important thing is to raise public awareness, as has been done in Australia, where malignant melanoma, it is believed, can pretty well be eliminated? The important thing is to raise public awareness so that the public go to their doctors and demand to be referred. That is how we will continue to catch more cases at a stage when they can be treated.

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

I agree with my noble friend. What is needed is a combination of public awareness and early diagnosis.