General Practice Education eNewsletter
April 2020

COVID-19

We would like to acknowledge the challenging times that you, as health professionals, are faced with during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your part in the health response is truly valued. Thank you.

The GP Education Project, under the guidance of Cancer Council WA, is monitoring and responding to advice from the state and federal governments. As a result, the GP Education Project has cancelled all face-to-face education events for the next 3 months. This is subject to further change. We are keen to continue delivering education where possible via virtual platforms including webinars.

Please reach out via email if you have any suggestions as to how we can best support you during this time.

Upcoming GP Education

Breast Cancer Update webinar

Date: Thursday, 30 April
Time: 6:30 - 7.30pm
Cost: Free
Zoom link will be emailed to registrants

This online webinar will provide an update for general practice on the prevention and diagnosis of breast cancer and the management of patients with an increased risk of breast cancer.

Presented by:
• Professor Christobel Saunders, Head of Division of Surgery, UWA Medical School

This education is a CPD Activity under the RACGP CPD Program

For more information or to register

Goals of Care (GoC) webinar

Date: Wednesday, 6 May
Time: 7.15 - 8.15am
Cost: Free

This online session will enable you to develop a greater understanding of the use of GoC, the My Health Record, HealthPathways WA and other resources. There will be opportunity to ask questions about current practice and pilots in this area.

Presented by:
• Dr Jacquie Garton-Smith, Royal Perth Hospital Liaison GP & Clinical Lead for Primary Care Integration
• Ms Valerie Colgan, Staff Development Educator - Clinical Implementation Unit

This education is a CPD Activity under the RACGP CPD Program

For more information or to register

Save the date - Women's Health Day 2020

Date: Saturday, 5 September

Our annual Women's Health Day is a staple event in the Cancer Council WA GP Education calendar. Developed, and delivered in collaboration with Sexual Health Quarters (SHQ), BreastScreen WA and Kind Edward Memorial Hospital. More details to come soon.

News and Information

Call out to join our General Practice Reference Group

Cancer Council WA's GP Education Project is committed to providing valuable educational experiences to all health professionals working in general practice. We are looking for GPs, Practice Nurses and other health professionals working in general practice who have a special interest in cancer and would like to be involved in providing input into future GP education events.

If you would like to be involved or would like more information, please email gp@cancerwa.asn.au

Register your interest

New alcohol and other drug support services for health professionals

The Mental Health Commission has launched a new service, the Drug and Alcohol Clinical Advisory Service (DACAS) to provide specialist alcohol and other drug (AOD) advice to health professionals across the WA health care system. Support is provided by experienced addiction specialists to assist in the management of individuals with AOD issues in the community, including appropriate substance detoxification advice and community treatment referral guidance. DACAS will operate 08:00 to 20:00 Monday to Friday. The number to call is 6553 0520.

For more information

Nutrition in the time of COVID-19

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and its resulting disease, COVID-19 have focused attention on the role of the immune system. What we eat influences our immune systems ability to cope with viral or bacterial infections. In Western society, there is an over-abundance of nutritionally-poor food that is a proven trigger for inflammation, contributing to immune dysfunction and reduced control of infection. Early data from the COVID-19 pandemic suggests that patients with a BMI over 25 are at increased risk of complications from COVID-19.

In this article, Dr Angela Genoni discussed the importance of good nutrition in the face of stress on the immune system. Angela recently taken over the role of GP Education Coordinator at Cancer Council WA. She is also a registered nutritionist, who completed a PHD in 2018 examining the effect of diet on the gut microbiome. In 2019, Angela was invited to take the lead role of nutritionist for WA, on the advisory council for the Doctors for Nutrition Charity.

Read full article

Cancer incidence, mortality and survival in Western Australia, 2017

The WA Cancer Registry has recently released the population-based cancer data report for 2017; Cancer Incidence, Mortality and Survival in Western Australia. Cancer of the prostate was the most common cancer diagnosed for men, whereas cancer of the breast was the leading cancer diagnosed in women. The data demonstrates the lowest rate of cancer related deaths since 1983, as well as a steady increase in survival rates. In WA, the five-year survival rate for all cancers was 71.7% during the 2013 – 2017 period. However, some survival rates have not improved, including brain cancer (21.7%) and mesothelioma (7.6%).

In the Aboriginal population, the five-year survival rate was 14.8% lower than the non-Aboriginal WA population, providing further evidence that more work needs to be done to improve Aboriginal health outcomes.

FDA sunscreen report

“It’s important that Australians continue to use sunscreen alongside other forms of sun protection to prevent skin cancer. Skin cancer kills over 2000 Australians each year and 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed by the age of 70".

Cancer Council Australia has commented on a recent study reported in JAMA on 21 January, 2020, a study on the effects of sunscreen application on plasma concentration of sunscreen's active ingredients. The report seeks to make a conclusion that some common active ingredients found in sunscreen are absorbed into the body, beyond what is considered a safe amount. The study concludes with the need for additional studies to determine the clinical significance of these findings.

“This is a small study of 48 individuals conducted in a lab environment that didn’t mimic real life conditions. The researchers behind this study themselves say that these results should not discourage people from using sunscreen. In Australia, sunscreens are closely regulated by the Government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration to make sure they are safe and effective – but sunscreen alone is not enough. When the UV is 3 or above, everyone needs to slip, slop, slap, seek (shade) and slide (on sunglasses).”