Kaleidoscope Skin Cancer Clinic is dedicated to exceptional skin cancer screening, treatment, and prevention, and it’s now open in Bundaberg.
Principal medical practitioner Dr Charles Blair has a long history treating skin cancer in the Bundaberg Region and he said there was a “huge need” for the new medical clinic.
“A vast number of skin cancer procedures get done at the Base Hospital that probably don’t need to get done there,” he said.
“But in addition to that, I think the cancer burden in the Wide Bay region is quite large.
“We have got an older demographic, and with age and sun there comes an increased incident of skin cancer.”
Bargara residents Brian and Pam Doyle moved to the Bundaberg Region after travelling around the northern part of Australia following retirement.
The pair heard about Kaleidoscope Skin Cancer Clinic opening and were both eager to be among the first patients to have their skin checked by Dr Blair.
Pam said they moved from Sydney in 2013, and they last had their skin checked in 2012.
Living in the beautiful sunshine state meant they would now need to have their skin checked more often.
She said they travelled the country for four years, and she noticed her skin had gone quite dark from being in the northern parts of Australia. As Brian has Irish heritage, they thought it vital to have his skin checked more frequently from now on.
Pam said last year they saw Kaleidoscope Skin Cancer Clinic was going to open, and she believes it is a much-needed service that fills a void in the region.
From mole mapping to surgical treatment
As well as providing spot checks and head-to-toe skin checks, Kaleidoscope Skin Cancer Clinic offers comprehensive mole mapping services, topical and surgical treatments with no referral necessary.
Dr Blair said Kaleidoscope Skin Cancer Clinic was the first in Australia to use the German-made Medisun PDT 1200 to deliver painless daylight photodynamic therapy.
“PDT is an effective treatment for certain non-melanoma lesions and pre-cancerous sunspots,” he said.
“It can prevent affected cells from growing or multiplying without impacting healthy, normal cells.
“We are an entirely cloud-based business, combining the latest technology and good old-fashioned know-how in a homely setting to provide the comprehensive care that Bundaberg locals deserve.”
Dr Blair said about 14,000 Australians were diagnosed with melanoma each year, and the Bundaberg Region contributed to a high number of those.
“Queensland has the highest rate of melanoma in Australia,” he said.
“In the Wide Bay Burnett Region, one out of every 14 people will be diagnosed with melanoma by the time they turn 85 and, unfortunately, diagnosis and survival rates are lower in regional areas. Our mission at KSC is to help change that.”
As a rural general surgeon Dr Blair is highly experienced in all facets of skin cancer medicine and has spent the vast majority of his career providing elective and emergency surgical services to regional Queenslanders.
Dr Blair said as more people became conscious of skin cancer, and damage caused to the skin by the sun, education was the key to prevention.
Kaleidoscope Skin Cancer Clinic managing director and Dr Blair’s wife, Larine Statham-Blair, said the new clinic on Barolin Street was a renovated Queenslander that had a deep history in Bundaberg, which they captured by collecting old bricks and a sarsaparilla bottle that is now proudly on display within the clinic.
Kaleidoscope Skin Cancer Clinic is a mixed billing clinic, offering concessional rates to concession card holders and children. To find out more click here.
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