Skin Checks and Skin Cancer Diagnosis in Australian General Practice Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2011–2020

The study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on skin cancer diagnosis in Australian general practice from 2011 to 2020. Data from 370 general practices and 241,468 adult patients were analyzed to assess trends in skin checks, skin cancer diagnoses, and skin lesion removals. The study found a total of 67,933 recorded skin checks and 28,762 new skin cancer diagnoses during this period. In the first quarter of 2020, there was a 20% decrease in skin cancer diagnoses compared to the same quarter in previous years, with a greater reduction for melanoma (32%). Additionally, there was a 29% decrease in skin checks in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the second quarter of 2019, and a 14% decrease in Medicare Benefits Schedule claims for skin lesion removals. Despite these reductions, the proportion of patients diagnosed with skin cancer after a screening remained consistent in 2020. The study suggests that the reduction in skin checks could account for the observed decrease in melanoma notifications and emphasizes the need for monitoring the potential negative impact of telehealth on skin cancer diagnosis.