Adelaide University is taking free skin checks directly to rural South Australians, rolling out pop-up clinics at key field days and community events across the State.
The travelling clinics improve access to specialist skin services in country communities while also training locally based primary care nurses in advanced dermoscopy techniques, ensuring early detection can continue year-round.
Led by the Rosemary Bryant AO Research Centre, and supported by Preventative Health SA, Skin-Smart, and Fat Farmers, the initiative forms part of a broader research project focused on strengthening regional health capability.
Initiated in 2023, the initiative has already delivered 15 pop-up skin check clinics, trained 58 regional primary care nurses, and provided 1463 people with a free skin check.
To date, the pop-up clinics have detected 608 lesions suspicious for malignancy, with 50% of people tested having an above average risk for keratinocyte (non-melanoma) cancer, and 20% having an above average risk for melanoma.
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world with more than two in three Australians diagnosed with in their lifetime.
Every 30 minutes an Australian is diagnosed with melanoma and about 2000 die from skin cancer each year.
Project lead Dr Kim Gibson said the skin clinics are helping regional communities access vital health services.
“Many people in country communities have spent a lifetime working outdoors, which can place them at higher risk of skin cancer,” Dr Gibson said.
“When you combine that with the reality of fewer specialist services in rural areas, it’s easy to see how skin checks can be delayed. Taking time off work, travelling long distances, or even feeling comfortable seeing an unfamiliar practitioner can all become barriers.
“We’ve been delivering these pop-up skin clinics for a few years now, and the nurse-led model has been overwhelmingly accepted by the community.
“By delivering these clinics locally and training nurses within the community, we’re breaking down barriers and helping close a critical gap in early skin cancer detection.”
The next pop-up clinics will be held in South Australia’s South-East:
- Mount Gambier – Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 March between 9:00am and 5:00pm
at the Mount Gambier RSL and District Bowling - Lucindale – Friday 20 and Saturday 21 March between 9:00am and 5:00pm
at the South-East Field Days, Yakka Park - Keith – Thursday 26 and Friday 27 March between 9:00am and 5:00pm at Don Mosely Park;
– Saturday 28 March between 9:00am and 5:00pm at the Keith Show.
The Keith pop-up clinic is aligned with the Keith Show to make it as easy as possible for local families, farmers and outdoor workers to access the service.
People visiting a clinic will receive a comprehensive skin check with any suspicious skin lesions photographed and recorded. Patients will receive a report with these images to take to their usual health provider to ensure follow-up care.
The clinic is particularly encouraging people aged over 50 to book a screening, as melanoma incidence increases significantly with age. More than 80% of diagnosed skin cancers occur in people aged 50 and older.
Industry Professor of Health Innovation and Enterprise, Professor Marion Eckert, said building long-term capability within regional communities is central to improving early skin cancer detection.
“Primary care nurses are the largest health workforce in regional Australia, which makes them ideally placed to deliver high-quality skin checks close to home,” Professor Eckert said.
“We know there’s strong demand for local, nurse-led services that are accessible, trusted and evidence-based.
“By empowering locally based nurses with the expertise to provide skin check services year-round, we’re strengthening community capacity and ensuring rural South Australians have ongoing access to potentially life-saving care.
“Early detection saves lives – and it should never depend on your postcode.”
As part of ongoing research, skin check participants will be asked to complete a short survey covering demographics, sun protection behaviours and access to skin checks, to help researchers better understand barriers to care in regional Australia.
Bookings are essential for these services. To make a booking, please call 8302 2706.
Media contacts:
Dr Kim Gibson, Rosemary Bryant AO Research Centre, Adelaide University. E: kim.gibson@adelaide.edu.au
Prof Marion Eckert, Rosemary Bryant AO Research Centre, Adelaide University. E: marion.eckert@adelaide.edu.au
Annabel Mansfield, Senior Media Adviser Adelaide University. T: +61 479 182 489
E: Annabel.Mansfield@adelaide.edu.au