Melanoma Taskforce

MELANOMA TASKFORCE

Skcin have been involved with the Melanoma Taskforce since it started in 2010. The Melanoma Taskforce is a panel of skin cancer experts, currently chaired by Pauline Latham MP, which is comprised of patient group and charity representatives, GPs, skin cancer nurses, dermatologists, oncologists and surgeons. The Taskforce was set up to make practical recommendations as to how the prevention and treatment of skin cancer, and particularly melanoma, could be improved.

REPORTS

2020 Skin Cancer Visions
The Melanoma Taskforce has been meeting since 2010 to discuss how to improve the lives of patients with melanoma and other forms of skin cancer. The first publication was the 2015 Skin Cancer Visions, a report which set out the Taskforce aims and objectives for improving the situation in skin cancer by the General Election this year. The majority of those visions were taken on board by the Department of Health when it produced its own Visions report in early 2011.

This was a positive step and there have been many improvements for skin cancer patients since 2010. Three new treatments for advanced melanoma have been approved by NICE, under-18s have been banned from using sunbeds and the first Be Clear on Cancer campaign for skin cancer has been piloted in the South West of England. But the Taskforce does not want to rest on its laurels. Melanoma incidence continues to rise and there are concerns that services will become increasingly fragmented without national leadership. A lack of specialist staff, particularly nurses and dermatologists, remains a concern. With this in mind, the Melanoma Taskforce are delighted to be able to present the 2020 Skin Cancer Visions, their new manifesto for change.

2015 Skin Cancer Visions
The first publication of the Melanoma Taskforce group was in October 2010, when a report was published entitled, '2015 Skin Cancer Visions'. This report set out The Taskforce's recommendations for how skin cancer and melanoma services and treatment could be improved over the life of the new Department of Health (DH) cancer strategy, Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer published in January 2011. As part of the new strategy, the DH published its own 2015 Skin Cancer Visions, which adopted 17 of the 20 recommendations made by the Melanoma Taskforce.

Mole and Skin Check Guidelines
In June 2011, the Taskforce worked with a coalition of well-being, hair and beauty professional associations to develop Mole and Skin Check Guidelines, an information leaflet providing clear and simple information about the signs of skin cancer for people working in the health and beauty industry who regularly come into contact with people's skin. The Taskforce is currently working with the Hair and Beauty Industry Authority (Habia) to take this project forward and embed skin cancer awareness in the standard training of relevant non-health professionals.

Variations in Melanoma
In November 2011, the Taskforce published its Variations in Melanoma Survey, which examined variations in the standard of care for melanoma patients in England, and led to the establishment of the Pathway Expert Working Group whose findings are set out in Quality in melanoma care: a best practice pathway.

To find out more about our other activities please choose from the following:
> Sun Safe Schools
> Sun Safe Nurseries
> Skcin and Virgin Holidays > Skcin and AXA PPP Healthcare
> Other / previous campaigns
> Skin Cancer UK
> APPGS - All Party Parliamentary Group on Skin
> Melanoma Taskforce