New HSE guideline to support people diagnosed with skin cancer

A new guideline launched by the HSE National Cancer Control Programme, aims to support patients who have been diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer. Around 1,100 people are diagnosed with melanoma each year in Ireland, which has become more common in recent years.

The guideline will help provide information for treatment planning for people with melanoma. It will also help catch any recurrence or relapse early, leading to earlier treatments and interventions. It was developed in consultation with oncology patients, doctors, nurses and researchers. It aims to improve the quality of clinical care for patients and improve patient experience.

Melanoma cancer patients and members of the Guideline Development Group, Kay Curtin, and Miriam Staunton said:
“It was great to be involved in the process of creating the guidelines we felt the patient voice was heard. Melanoma Cancer guidelines are essential as they give patients an ability to advocate for themselves and help ensure consistency across Irelands cancer centres.”

Benefits to patients include:

• Provides information for treatment planning
• Catch a recurrence/ relapse early
• Reassurance that you are being monitored based on the best current evidence

Dr Sinéad Field, Consultant Dermatologist and Chair the clinical guideline development group, said:
“Melanoma is on the increase in Ireland and while it is more common in people over 50, you can get it at any age. The new National Clinical Guideline for Radiological Staging and Surveillance of Patients with Cutaneous Melanoma will support people who are undergoing or have had treatment. Staging scans help to determine if a patient’s cancer has spread or is likely to spread to other parts of the body, or recur. This knowledge is useful as it provides an opportunity to optimise the patient’s treatment plan. Surveillance of patients after they have finished their treatment is to check for a recurrence or relapse of their cancer. This is useful as it provides an early opportunity for treatment.”

Dr Eve O’Toole, Head of Evidence and Quality Hub in the NCCP, said:
“The purpose of the guideline is to provide evidence-based recommendations on the staging and surveillance of patients with cutaneous melanoma through the integration of the best research evidence with clinical expertise, patient values and experiences. Knowing what is happening now and what will be happening next can provide reassurance to patients that an optimum plan for them is in place. The guideline describes what tests patients should have and for how long surveillance should continue.”