Facts

• Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world with more than 382,000 Australians receiving treatment each year .
• Skin cancer accounts for around 80% of all new cancers diagnosed in Australia.
• More than 1,300 Australians die of skin cancer each year.
• Incidence of skin cancer is closely linked to UV damage from chronic sun exposure. More than 5 million Australians get sun burnt every summer.

Non-surgical treatment for skin cancer
There's a non-surgical treatment option for some non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) and certain types of pre-cancerous conditions.

Medically these lesions are know as superficial and nodular basal cell carcinomas and actinic keratoses (or solar keratoses).  Your doctor might refer to them as BCC's and AK's.

As well as being an effective treatment, the potential for scarring is minimized with this treatment.

What does PDT treatment involve?
PDT is short for photodynamic therapy.
PDT involves three simple steps:

• Preparation of the lesion
• Application of the TGA approved light activated cream
• Exposure of the lesion to a special red light that activates the cream.

When exposed to the special read light, the ingredient in the cream is activated and destroys abnormal cells that cause these BCC's and AK's.

What advantages does it provide over conventional treatments?
Clinical studies in Australia and around the world have proven that this PDT treatment is effective for treating these lesions.

The additional advantage it provides is excellent cosmetic results, the non-invasive and selective nature of the treatment minimize the potential for scarring and side effects.

Clinical studies conducted in Australia and overseas have found that trial patients who have had previous treatment for AK with cryotherapy or a topical chemical therapy were more satisfied with PDT.  To find out more go to www.treatskincancer.com. 

What side effects can this treatment have?
Not everyone experiences side effects.  Some people experience local discomfort at the treatment site during and after light exposure, which is the most common side effect.  These local reactions are generally of mild or moderate intensity and resolve rapidly.

Performed in the doctor's practice.
The PDT treatment is prescribed and performed by Dr Caswell.  Unlike some other treatments, it usually involves one to two treatments sessions at least a week apart, and several lesions or the entire face can be treated in one session.

To make an appointment with Dr Caswell phone 02 6752 1333.