Gardens Skin Cancer Centre calls for more doctors as demand for checks grows

Some patients are being forced to wait a dangerously long time for initial appointments, with one clinic not being able to see patients for eight months.

The Gardens Skin Cancer Centre has put a call out for doctors to join the team of five at the Wodonga Place rooms to keep up with the increase in demand.

National Skin Cancer Centres chief executive Paul Elmslie said due to the lack of doctors, they are only able to squeeze patients with spots of concern for short appointments within three weeks.

"We have patients travelling from as far as four hours away to see our skin cancer doctors as we are the only skin cancer centre in the area," he told The Border Mail.

"We are looking to recruit at least two more full-time doctors, and potentially more part-time doctors, to help cope with the increased demand."

The Cancer Council has responded to the increase demand facing Border doctors when it comes to skin cancer checks.

But the country's peak cancer body couldn't confirm if waiting eight months to check a worrying mole could be a life or death scenario.

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Cancer Council SunSmart head Heather Walker said skin cancer can grow quickly but fell short of saying waiting eight months for a skin check would be life-threatening.

"So if something new, odd or unusual is found it should be looked at immediately," she said.

"GPs are well placed to diagnose and manage most skin cancers.

"Health professionals play a critical role in the prevention, detection and management of skin cancer.

"Most skin cancers can be prevented. Skin damage can occur in as little as 11 minutes so watch out for the UV exposure you get from simply being out and about."

For Umbrella Health GP Dr Chinmoy Datta, who runs a skin cancer clinic from the Wodonga family medical clinic, while there has been an increase in demand for skin checks he said there continues to be a lot of skin cancer's diagnosed.

"Three out of five patients are diagnosed with some form skin cancer who attend the clinic for a skin check," he said.

"And there is also four out of five patients who are diagnosed with skin cancer including melanoma who attend the clinic for a follow up skin check with a past history or family history of skin cancer."

While the clinic, which was formally known as Daintree Medical Centre, only has a couple of months waiting period they are hoping to increase capability once the Albury location opens in the new year in the soon-to-be-completed Hamilton high rise.

The Gardens Skin Cancer Centre have diagnosed more than 2300 skin cancers this year alone and doctors are anticipating for increased diagnoses as they continue to warn Border residents to get checked.

"We are asking doctors in the Albury region, no matter your experience, to join us in the fight against skin cancer by joining our team," Mr Elmslie said.

The employment opportunity has an earning potential of up to $400,000.