HealthCert Blog

Recently I was reading through the latest treatment guidelines for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), as produced by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD).

In my view, BAD produces some of the most rational guidance for the treatment of skin cancers. In the papers they publish as part of the dissemination of the guidelines, they detail the guideline development process. It is rigorous and exhaustive.

For my own interest I took the BAD guidelines and “translated them into Australian”. By this I mean I removed the references to the pathways and processes that are used in the British NHS, but I kept all the clinical advice in place.

While at one level there is no major change in the guidance, at the same time I think BAD has done a great job in synthesising what would be considered “best practice”.

I am finding this summary useful in my own clinical practice, and hope that you may also.

Find the guidelines here on the HealthCert Community (login or join for free).

Prof David Wilkinson

Please note: These guidelines apply to Australian practice. Doctors based outside of Australia should use guidelines provided by their own national authority.

Learn more about skin cancer with the HealthCert Skin Cancer Certificate Courses.

Read more from Professor David Wilkinson on recent research:

• Sentinel lymph node biopsy: Where do we stand?
• The role of sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma management
• Concordance between patient concerns and skin cancer diagnosis