Treatment Interventions for Melanoma - Paper Example

There are various new developments in the treatment of Melanoma cases in Australia. . The progress provides hope for a change in the statistics about melanoma infection, progression, and deaths in Australia. Some of the strategies that Australia uses in addressing the predominant issue of melanoma include; corrective surgery, and additional treatments such as targeted therapies, chemotherapy, and immunotherapies. Targeted therapies are intended to modify the activities of the specific genes associated with the susceptibility to and spread of skin cancer. On the other hand, immunotherapies involve the modification of the bodys immune system to control the spread of melanoma (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2016). Radiotherapy is another intervention used to reduce the recurrence rates of melanoma among the Australians. Chemotherapy on the other hand kills the calcareous cells to prevent infection of the healthy ones which if not controlled leads to the progression of melanoma (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2016). These medical interventions have been combined with a concerted campaign for lifestyle changes through sensitization on the risks associated with cumulative sun exposure and importance of protecting oneself from direct sunlight.

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Australian National Health Policy

At the national level, Australia has developed a national health policy, which predominantly focuses on the prevention of recurring cases of skin cancer. Some of the priorities of this administration include careful documentation of cases of skin cancer infections in the previous years and public sensitization on the relationship between exposure to ultraviolet radiation in childhood and the vulnerability to melanoma infections (Smith et al., 2002).

Legislative Bills Adopted to Control Melanoma

The Australian legislature had adopted policies that set specific standards for the various sun-protective appliances such as sunglasses, and photoprotective garments. They have also set the standards for acceptable levels of sun exposure to workers through elaborate occupational sun exposure standards. The legislations are integrated with various recommendations by the Australian health sector to the public including reducing the rates of exposure to sunlight, especially during periods of high ultraviolet radiations, and use of standardized protective gadgets, which are approaches that reduce the risks of exposure to melanoma. Such recommendations promote protective health behaviors, which is a critical way, used to prevent the disease in the first place rather than including excessive costs of diagnosis and treatments after contracting it.

Awareness creation and training

Through the support of various institutions such as the Australian Melanoma Research Foundation, Australia ensures awareness creation and education of communities on the disease, its causes, and prevention mechanisms. It also establishes proactive social and medical support networks for people infected by melanoma including home based and hospital-based care. Australia not only focuses on strategies to provide public awareness and training in ways of avoiding melanoma including protective clothing and proper domestic lifestyles, but it also mobilizes funds to support such initiatives (Hirst, Gordon, Gies, & Green, 2009). Today, the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) and Cancer Council Victoria. Collectively fund Sun smart; an Australian national program is working with secondary schools, primary schools, and workplaces to create awareness of melanoma. The government is committed to the national awareness campaign against cancer.

Skin cancer Prioritization of among the Australian National Health Priority Areas

In Australia, the National Health Priority Areas (NHPA) initiative has listed cancer as number two in the national health priority concerns. This approach is intended to increase funding for the diseases control and develop effective policies for its control (Smith et al., 2002). Under the NHPA, twenty-six priority indicators for all forms of cancer including melanoma have been established to enhance its control. These approaches have proven to be effective in reducing the incidences of contracting skin cancer, ensuring adequate financial allocation for melanoma management and lowering cases of deaths due to late diagnosis.

Early Screening for Melanoma

The Australian cancer policy promotes screening, self-assessment or medical expert assessment of suspected cases of melanoma infection. In most cases, deaths resulting from melanoma in Australia are highly associated with its detection at advanced stages where management is difficult (Hirst, Gordon, Gies, & Green, 2009). Through successful educational programs such as photo-damage prevention, the Australian government improves the knowledge of its citizens about the prevalence of the disease, which triggers them to seek screening services. Studies reveal that people who have better knowledge about the skin cancer or its associated risks are more inclined to not only seek prompt medication but also actively embrace sun protection mechanisms (Smith et al., 2002). The Australian Melanoma Institute records that early detection of the infection has facilitated tracking of its treatment and administration of targeted treatments that prevent its progression to advanced stages hence reduced death rates. Through early screening and obtaining proper prognosis for its treatment, increased survival rates were realized between the year 2007 and 2011.

References

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2016. Australian Cancer Incidence and Mortality (ACIM) books: melanoma skin cancer. Canberra: AIHW. [Accessed 27 March 2017].

Hirst, N., Gordon, L., Gies, P., & Green, A. C. 2009. Estimation of avoidable skin cancers and cost-savings to government associated with regulation of the solarium industry in Australia. Health Policy, 89(3), 303-311.

Melanoma Patients Australia. (2017). Melanoma Patients Australia. Retrieved 27 March 2017, from https://melanomapatients.org.au/

Smith, B. J., Ferguson, C., McKenzie, J., Bauman, A., & Vita, P. 2002. Impacts from repeated mass media campaigns to promote sun protection in Australia. Health Promotion International, 17(1), 51-60.