The South West’s premier independent dermatology & skin clinic
At South West Dermatology, we believe that early detection is the single most important factor in successfully treating skin cancer. That is why we were delighted to partner once again with The Lions Charity for our periodic community mole check event at Mackarness Hall on Honiton High Street last weekend (April 18th -19th).
This regular initiative, in association with The Lions, serves a dual purpose: providing expert skin screenings to the local community while raising vital funds for Cancer Research UK.
Living in the beautiful South West comes with hidden risks. Statistically, Devon has four times the national average of skin cancer. This is particularly prevalent in our rural communities, where outdoor work and lifestyles lead to higher cumulative sun exposure.
Many people have "that one spot" they’ve been meaning to ask a doctor about but haven't found the time to book a GP appointment for. This event provides a low-pressure opportunity for residents to pop in and have their skin examined by specialists for issues they might otherwise have dismissed as unimportant.
This year’s event once again highlighted the necessity of these screenings. Our team identified several serious skin cancers that required immediate attention. We have ensured these cases are now fast-tracked for NHS management to ensure the best possible outcomes for the patients involved.
One of the highlights of the weekend was a visit from a local resident who attended our screening event four years ago. At that time, our dermatologists identified an undiagnosed melanoma.
Thanks to that providential check-up, they received timely treatment and are now doing well. Seeing the long-term impact of our work in the community is a powerful reminder of why we continue to support these events.
While community events are vital, we encourage everyone to practice the "ABCDE" rule when checking their moles at home:
Over 100 people were seen throughout the morning raising money for the Honiton Lions charity that supports many local ventures in and around Honiton and East Devon.
A number of probable melanomas and non-melanoma skin cancers were identified at this event and these will proceed to hospital NHS surgery through their local GPs.
Melanoma is the 7th commonest cancer and Devon and Cornwall has four times the national average.
A big thank you to everyone involved and to all those who attended to support this worthwhile event.
If you have any concerns about your skin or a suspicious mole please get it checked by a medical professional. Look out for a mole which changes progressively in shape, size and/or colour. You can check your moles by learning the ABCDE of moles. This covers a range of features that can help you spot if a mole is becoming cancerous.
Dr. Anthony Downs runs a mole check clinic or you can upload a photo using our online form to get an initial evaluation.
Dr. Anthony Downs, Consultant Dermatologist gave Devon based GPs a skin cancer management update on Thursday 1st July via a virtual lecture hosted by Exeter Medical.
Whist there have been tremendous advances in the last five years in treating and curing patients with melanoma over 50% still die when this disease is advanced. Early recognition and treatment remains essential. The South West has four times the national average of skin cancer.
The COVID pandemic has not helped with patients having to wait a great deal longer for NHS access to surgery by specialist whist their skin cancer continues to grow. Timely intervention by GPs can help reduce the skin cancer burden.
One of the notable differences between the UK and Australia, a country with higher skin cancer rates than the UK, is their lower death rate. This is because Australians proactively undergo routine and sometimes annual full body skin checks with their GP or their Dermatologist. Prevention being preferable to cure.
Full body mole checks are not generally available on the NHS, although your GP will always look at any mole that concerns you. South West Dermatology offer a full body mole check service undertaken by Dr Anthony Downs, Consultant in Dermatology Medicine and Surgery. Dr Downs will make a full assessment of your moles using a dermatoscope.
Dr. Downs is happy to receive a photograph via his online form if you would like an initial opinion on an individual mole.
Dr. Downs is continues to look forward to passing on his knowledge and offering further useful advice and guidance for doctors at the next event.
29th European Academy of DermatoVenereology Congress was hosted virtually this year 29th-31st October 2020.
Founded in 1987, EADV is the leading community to further the knowledge of health professionals and advocates in the field of dermatology and venereology. It is a non-profit organisation with over 7,000 members, across 113 different countries in the world, providing a valuable service for every type of dermato-venereologist professional.
The EADV is committed to improving the quality of patient care, continuing medical education for all dermato-venereologists in Europe and beyond, and advocacy on behalf of the speciality and patients.
This year's congress was titled: EADV Virtual - New Frontiers in Dermatology and Venereology and provided an exceptional opportunity for colleagues from around the world to explore the latest developments in science and patient care that are at the heart of the academy’s mission. There were over 11,000 attendees from 112 countries.
Dr. Anthony Downs, Consultant Dermatologist presented two clinical studies:
The provision of a YouTube acne videos to patient's prior to their acne consultation. This helps inform patients to make difficult choices about strong treatments prior choosing that treatment, also in a format teenagers and young adults can more easily relate to.
The health value of a charitable and free walk-in mole check with a specialist for people concerned about skin cancer.
160 people were seen and over £1600 was raised for Cancer Research UK in one morning. It was a fantastic team effort helping to raise awareness and a significant sum towards the fight against skin cancer.
The team put in a great deal of work to host the event but it was very much worth it, with lots of appreciative patients, and a number of skin cancers identified which are now on course for treatment.
A big thank you to everyone involved and to all those who attended to support this worthwhile event.
If you have any concerns about your skin or a suspicious mole please get it checked by a medical professional. Look out for a mole which changes progressively in shape, size and/or colour. You can check your moles by learning the ABCDE of moles. This covers a range of features that can help you spot if a mole is becoming cancerous.
Dr. Anthony Downs runs a mole check clinic or you can upload a photo using our online form to get an initial evaluation.
2019 proves no different as our mole check event returns to Exeter Medical, Admiral House, Exeter Business Park on Saturday 1st June 2019 from 10:00am until 4:00pm.
If you have a particular mole you are worried about Dr Downs and our dermatology team will assess you on the day in exchange for a minimum donation of £10 to Cancer Research UK. Anyone needing to access treatment will quickly receive the necessary advice and support either from their GP or Exeter Medical.
Exeter Medical would like to build on the success of last year’s mole check whereby 174 members of the public were assessed and £2,340 raised to support the work carried out by Cancer Research UK.
