Spot On Podcast by MSCAN

In this episode of the Spot On Podcast, host Peter Birch speaks with Associate Professor Rachel Roberts-Thomson who is a Medical Oncologist from Adelaide, about adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies in melanoma care.  Discussing what each therapy involves, adjuvant therapy given after surgery to lower the risk of recurrence, and neoadjuvant therapy given before surgery, particularly in patients...

In this episode of the Spot On Podcast, host Peter Birch welcomes guests Pauline Ryan and Carl Morehouse to share their experience with melanoma, and the challenges they faced as a family with young children.  Pauline, discovered a concerning lesion/spot on her neck while pregnant with her second child. After being diagnosed with stage three melanoma, Pauline discusses how she worked har...

Cutaneous Lymphoma (CL) or lymphoma of the skin, is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that can appear as a rash or bumps on the skin. In this episode we speak to four distinguished guests about cutaneous lymphoma, its signs and symptoms, how it is different from other skin cancers, how it can progress if not discovered early and treatment options. In this episode, MSCAN speaks wit...

In this episode we look at the patient story. John Mason, who has spent much of his life outdoors around rural Australia and currently living off-grid in Qld. John was diagnosed with Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC), which is a rare but aggressive form of skin cancer that can easily spread to other parts of the body if it is not diagnosed early. Australia has a higher incidence of MCC than other countr...

Merkel Cell Carcinoma or MCC, is a less common type of skin cancer. It can be aggressive but it can be treated, especially when found at an early stage. In this episode we talk to three distinguished experts: Dr Michelle Goh is a consultant dermatologist, who has a special interest in complex skin cancers. Medical Oncologist Dr Wen Xu, is committed to clinical research with a strong interest in im...

Ocular melanoma is a less common type of melanoma that can be found in different parts of the eye.  It affects one in 6-8 million people, and like any melanoma or skin cancer, is better when diagnosed early.  In this episode we delve into: the symptoms and what potentially causes an ocular melanoma How it may be diagnosed and the level of risk treatment options and a treating team W...

Welcome to Series 3 of the Spot On podcast. In Series 1, we focused on the fundamentals of skin cancer, interviewing some of Australia's leading clinicians on the topic. In this season, we're focused more on the human side of a diagnosis. Series 2 we looked more on the human side of a diagnosis. In this series, we take a step back and look holistically at a skin cancer diagnosis – providing the an...

Welcome to Series 3 of the Spot On podcast. In Series 1, we focused on the fundamentals of skin cancer, interviewing some of Australia's leading clinicians on the topic. In this season, we're focused more on the human side of a diagnosis. Series 2 we looked more on the human side of a diagnosis. In this series, we take a step back and look holistically at a skin cancer diagnosis – providing the an...

Welcome to Season 2 of the Spot On podcast.  In Season 1, we focused on the fundamentals of skin cancer, interviewing some of Australia's leading clinicians on the topic. In this season, we're focused more on the human side of a diagnosis.  MSCAN is thrilled to have renowned journalist Deborah Knight involved and interviewing patients about their journey with skin cancer and the road ahead. In thi...

Welcome to Season 2 of the Spot On podcast.  In Season 1, we focused on the fundamentals of skin cancer, interviewing some of Australia's leading clinicians on the topic. In this season, we're focused more on the human side of a diagnosis.  MSCAN is thrilled to have renowned journalist Deborah Knight involved and interviewing patients about their journey with skin cancer and the road ahead. In thi...

Welcome to Season 2 of the Spot On podcast. In Season 1, we focused on the fundamentals of skin cancer, interviewing some of Australia's leading clinicians on the topic. In this season, we're focused more on the human side of a diagnosis. MSCAN is thrilled to have renowned journalist Deborah Knight involved and interviewing patients about their journey with skin cancer and the road ahead. In this...

Welcome to Season 2 of the Spot On podcast.  In Season 1, we focused on the fundamentals of skin cancer, interviewing some of Australia's leading clinicians on the topic. In this season, we're focused more on the human side of a diagnosis.  MSCAN is thrilled to have renowned journalist Deborah Knight involved and interviewing patients about their journey with skin cancer and the road ahead. In thi...

Overview: In this episode, we cover the fundamentals and treatment of early stage melanoma.   Speakers: Associate Professor Victoria Mar is the Director of the Victorian Melanoma Service at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, and Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University.  She is a board member of the Australian and New Zealand Melanoma Tri...

Overview: In this episode, we learn about advanced melanoma; in particular stage III and IV melanoma, and the different kinds of gene mutations and why they are important.  Later in the episode we will talk about different treatment options for melanoma.   Speakers: Professor Grant McArthur is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and holds a Ph. D. in Medical Biology. He is the...

Overview: In this episode, we learn about Non Melanoma Skin Cancers (NMSC). What are the types of NMSC, what are the factors that contribute to having one, how are they detected and what are the treatment options? Speaker: Associate Professor Chris Baker AM is the Director of Dermatology at St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne. Associate Professor Baker trained at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne and...

Overview: In this episode we learn what a clinical trial is, how they are developed and why they are so important. We also learn about participating in clinical trials, factors to consider and what the process is to get involved. Speakers: Prof Mark Shackleton is the Director of Oncology at Alfred Health, a Professor of Oncology at Monash University, a Victorian Cancer Agency Clinical Research Fel...

2 out of 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70. In Australia there are over 1 million GP visits per year due to skin cancer. And skin cancer accounts for 80% of newly diagnosed cancers. We have the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. So it’s time for Australia to get skin serious about our national cancer.   The Spot On Podcast is a free resource that helps a...