Icon Radiation Oncologist Dr Vanessa Estall recently appeared live on the Icon Cancer Centre Facebook page, where she answered questions about Australia’s most common cancer – non-melanoma skin cancer. Dr Estall was joined by Icon Group Medical Director Dr Ian Irving.

Throughout the video, Dr Estall answered a variety of questions from our patients, including:

• 4.16 – Which types of cancers do non-melanoma skin cancers include and how are they different from melanoma?
• 5.33 – How common is melanoma skin cancer and why is it considered so dangerous?
• 7.01 – What are the causes of Basal Cell Carcinomas (BCC) and where do they most commonly occur on the body?
• 8.01 – What happens if a Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is left untreated?
• 8.27 – What is a Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) and which parts of the body are they most commonly found? Why are Squamous Cell Carcinomas (SCC) so dangerous and potentially life-threatening if left untreated?
• 10.25 – What is the most common type of skin cancer in Australia? Of these, which types of skin cancers spread most easily?
• 12.11 – How can you reduce your risk of developing skin cancer?
• 13.53 – When should you start getting skin checks?
• 14.30 – Why are people more likely to have another skin cancer if they’ve had one in the past?
• 15.25 – How much time do you need to spend in the sun to get enough Vitamin D?
• 18.05 – What do Squamous Cell Carcinomas (SCC) and Basal Cell Carcinomas (BCC) look like and where do they most commonly occur on the body?
• 22.02 – Are there any skin cancer check apps on your mobile phone that you would recommend for skin cancer screening and diagnosis? Which types of health professionals should I go to for a skin check?
• 24.55 – What happens if non-melanoma skin cancers are left untreated? Are they potentially life-threatening?
• 28.20 – What are the treatment options for non-melanoma skin cancers?
• 29.58 – What are the pros and cons of surgery and radiation therapy as treatment options for early superficial non-melanoma skin cancers?
• 34.31 – What other types of treatments are there available for non-melanoma skin cancers? What about topical therapies, such as creams and lotions?
• 36.46 – I’ve had two BCCs (Basal Cell Carcinomas) on my face that have been cut out. Should I have skin checks more often than yearly?
• 39.13 – Is using a sunscreen with SPF15+ good enough protection or should you go up to a SPF30 or SPF50?
• 41.45 – Why do people get skin cancer on parts of the body that have never been in the sun, for example the soles of the feet?
• 45.52 – What are some of the rare genetic syndromes where skin cancer runs in families?
• 48.02 – If I am on immunosuppressive medication or have had treatment for a haematological disorder such as chronic lymphocytic leukaemia or myelodysplasia, am I at increased risk of skin cancer?
• 50.39 – If I’ve had a BCC (Basal Cell Carcinoma) on my face removed, can it come back?
• 52.28 – What are the different types of radiation therapy that can be used to treat skin cancer?
• 56.35 – What does VMAT stand for and how does it work to treat non-melanoma skin cancer?