According to the Cancer Institute of NSW, melanoma of the skin is expected to be one of the most common cancers in Far Western New South Wales in 2025. It’s a galvanising statistic and an important reminder of the importance of regular skin checks. Without a doubt, skin checks are one of the most effective ways to diagnose skin cancer.
Throughout the year, we hold normal clinics where our skilled clinical teams conduct routine skin checks across Far Western and Western NSW. But as of April 2025, our clinical team are armed with enhanced equipment to help make detection even easier.
Thanks to a donation from Broken Hill’s passionate fundraising cycling group, the Silver City Bush Treadlers, we purchased three new skin cancer detecting tools, dermatoscopes, and held our first specific skin clinics.
A dermatoscope is a small, handheld magnifying device. It’s designed to reveal potentially cancerous lesions that can’t be seen with the naked eye and, as a result, increases skin cancer diagnostic accuracy. Two will be used specifically for our work in remote communities, and one is for the Clive Bishop Medical Centre in Broken Hill.
An earlier skin cancer diagnosis often results in greater treatment options and, ultimately, a better chance of survival. As many of our patients live, work and play in extremely high-UV areas, they may be at a greater risk of skin cancer.
Across the clinics in White Cliffs, Ivanhoe, Tibooburra and Tilpa, our clinical team have already seen over 60 patients. We identified numerous pre-cancerous lesions, basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, as well as melanomas, that we may not have found otherwise.
If you haven’t had a skin check recently or you’ve noticed anything unusual, book a screening with your local GP or skin clinic today. Screening saves lives.
