General Practice Cancer Education eNewsletter
October 2020

An overview of oral cancer and potentially malignant oral disorders

This online webinar provides an update for health professionals on the early detection of, and the referral pathway for oral cancers, as well as an overview of potentially malignant oral lesions.

Date: Wednesday, 28 October
Time: 7.00pm - 8.00pm
Zoom link will be emailed to registrants

Presented by: Dr Amanda Phoon Nguyen, Oral Medicine Specialist

This education is a CPD Activity under the RACGP CPD Program
This education is a PDP Activity under ACRRM

Genetic testing and counselling in the familial cancer field

Genetic Services of WA provides a comprehensive overview of familial cancers including key discussion points for addressing familial cancer risk with your patients, determining eligibility for referral, genetic factors associated with familial cancer, and exciting advances in technologies and investigations. Genetic counsellors - Sarah Long, Sarah O’Sullivan, Bhavya Vora, Helen Mountain and Cassie Nichols will conclude the meeting with a panel discussion.

Date: Thursday, 12 November
Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm (Light supper provided on arrival)
Venue: UWA University Club, Banquet Hall South (Zoom option available)

Presented by: Genetic Services WA

This education is a CPD Activity under the RACGP CPD Program
This education is a PDP Activity under ACRRM

Further details and registration

Medical imaging: Referral, modalities & cancer diagnostic imaging pathways

The GP Cancer Education project provides the biennial update on medical imaging.

Date: Wednesday, 28 November
Time: 7.00pm - 8.00pm
Zoom link will be emailed to registrants

Presented by: Dr Ravinder Dhillon, Radiologist

This education is a pending CPD Activity under the RACGP CPD Program
This education is a pending PDP Activity under ACRRM

Further details and registration

Past events now available to view online

15 July 2020 - COVID-19 update: Immunocompromised patients
08 Sep 2020 - Women's Health Day: Part 2

Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma and the intra oral examination

Oral cancer is a heterogenous group of conditions encompassing the main subsites of the external lip, oral cavity and oropharynx. It is a significant health burden, with over 657,000 new cases diagnosed annually, and it is recognised as the sixth most common cancer worldwide

In this article, Dr Amanda Phoon Nguyen provides a brief summary of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma including how to perform an intra oral examination. Amanda is an Oral Medicine Specialist in Perth and Bunbury. View the upcoming education calendar to access an online education opportunity: An overview of oral cancer and potentially malignant oral disorders.

Dr Amanda Phoon Nguyen, Oral Medicine Specialist

Read article

Vitamin D testing is on the rise, despite new Medical Benefits Schedule testing criteria

The Medical Benefits Schedule items for testing vitamin D deficiency were replaced in November 2014 with the aim of restricting testing to people at particular risk of deficiency. The immediate effect of the new criteria was a 47% reduced rate of vitamin D testing in 2014-16 (compared with 2013-14). Medicare data indicates that the testing rate has increased, by 34% between 2015 and 2019, and testing rates have increased in all states. The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) does not recommend screening for vitamin D deficiency.

Article abstract

RCPA vitamin D testing recommendations

Cancer Council Australia survey

You are invited to participate in a survey about Cancer Council information, programs and services. Your valued input will be used to shape a national strategy. This survey has been reviewed by the National Information Strategy Working Group and all responses are anonymous. Your participation would be very much appreciated. The survey closes Monday, 2 November 2020.

Complete the survey

Palliative and Supportive Care Education (PaSCE) - Upcoming events

With the growth and ageing of Australia's population, and an increase of chronic and generally incurable illnesses, the types of patient groups requiring palliative care have widened.

Webinar - Spotlight on palliative care research: Two experts in the field to discuss cancer and palliative care symptom management research.
Date: Thursday, 5 November (2.00pm-3.00pm)

Workshop - Tools and skills for embedding palliative care in residential aged care
Date: Friday, 6 November (9.00am-1.00pm)

Workshop - Ways of working with grief and loss in Aboriginal communities
Date: Thursday, 26 November (9.00am-4.00pm)

To register for these or other PaSCE events

Primary health care research into national cancer screening programs

The University of Melbourne, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), Australian Association of Practice Management (AAPM), Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) and the VCS Foundation have undertaken a project for the Commonwealth Department of Health to understand how the primary healthcare workforce engages with the national cancer screening programs (bowel, breast and cervical). Findings from this study have led to the development of communication materials to assist in boosting participation, education and engagement.

General Practitioners, Practice Managers and Practice Nurses are invited to participate in a focus group discussion (via Zoom) to review and provide feedback on the developed communication materials. The focus group discussions will occur in early December, with all participants receiving a $50 gift card for their time.

If you would like to find out more or are interested in participating, please email or call Ebony Verbunt, Research Assistant at the University of Melbourne - ebony.verbunt@unimelb.edu.au, 0429928039

General Practice Cancer Education eNewsletter October 2020