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Acknowledgement of Country

In the spirit of reconciliation, CheckUP acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away.

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National Skin Cancer Action Week: Meet Dr Alan Poggio

National Skin Cancer Action Week (17-23 Nov) is an annual awareness initiative highlighting the need to do more to protect all Australians from the sun.

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, with approximately two in three Australians diagnosed with skin cancer during their lifetime.

Recently, Dr Alan Poggio, an Outreach provider who delivers skin cancer services in Cloncurry as part of CheckUP’s  Skin Cancer Early Detection (SCED) Service, shared his experience.

The SCED Service aims to create fairer access to professional assessment and treatment of skin cancer for people who live in rural, regional, and remote locations where such services are limited or non-existent.

How long have you been an Outreach provider, what inspired you to become an Outreach provider?

I have been providing Outreach skin cancer services since early 2023. I was looking for a change to my work routine and some new challenges.

At this time, I also returned to some work with Queensland Health after many years in private practice. I commenced a GP special interest position in Plastics and casual Senior Medical Officer work at my local rural hospital.  

Pictured above: Dr Alan Poggio

What do you enjoy most about working rurally? 

The rural patients. Getting to know the locals and understanding the unique challenges to life in remote locations.

Pictured above: An aerial sunrise image is featured with feedback from a SCED patient.

What do you find most rewarding about your work? 

I have particularly enjoyed the opportunity to teach medical students and GP registrars during my visits. This has been facilitated by having a student/registrar/ GP assigned to assist with the procedural sessions.

This has also allowed the local GPs wanting to perform a more complex procedure to have some guidance and supervision during their procedure.

Also, I have a social dinner one evening during my visit with the local staff and medical students.

Pictured above: Dr Alan Poggio is shown supervising a James Cook University medical student during training.

What does a typical workday look like when conducting Outreach visits?

I visit Cloncurry for four days every one to two months. I typically spend the morning sessions doing skin cancer excisions and the afternoons performing skin checks and follow up consultations as required.

Infographic statistics with aerial photo of Chinaman Creek Dam, Cloncurry in background. 1,325 patients accessed a SCED clinic, 389 SCED patients received pre-cancer treatment and 263 SCED patients had histologically proven cancers detected.

Pictured above: The number of SCED patients who were supported from 2023 – 2024 Financial Year is pictured over an aerial photo of Chinaman Creek Dam, Cloncurry.

Do you have a message for other health professionals that might be considering joining as an Outreach provider? 

I highly recommend Outreach services to all health professionals. I have found the practice staff and community most welcoming and appreciative of visiting health services.

Providing care to people with more difficult access to some services is very rewarding and it’s a great way to see and learn about different parts of Queensland, with scenery that is ABC news weather report worthy!

Pictured above: Dr Alan’s photography featured on the ABC’s weather report.

National Skin Cancer Action Week
National Skin Cancer Action Week

National Skin Cancer Action Week (17-23 November) highlights that we need to do more to promote sun protection.

Often called our ‘national cancer’, Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world.

Sadly, around 2,000 Australians will die from this disease this year. Yet research shows that many Australians, particularly men, aren’t regularly using all five forms of sun protection.

This year, Cancer Council Australia is urging all Australians, especially men aged over 40, to be SunSmart and reduce their risk of developing skin cancer.

Learn more
Skin Cancer Early Detection Service (SCED)
Skin Cancer Early Detection Service (SCED)

The Skin Cancer Early Detection (SCED) Service aims to create fairer access to professional assessment and treatment of skin cancer for people who have a skin cancer risk.

SCED is a pilot Outreach service funded by the Queensland Government, delivered in priority Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) in Queensland.

The Service works closely with each HHS and other local stakeholders to deliver skin cancer services in rural, regional, and remote locations where such services are limited or non-existent.

Find out more