
Congress 2021 – May 28th-30th
‘Better Together‘
Congress 2021 is scheduled for May 28th to 30th at The Star Gold Coast and will be a hybrid event!
Wherever you are, you can access this world-class event either in person or virtually!
Are you passionate about skin cancer medicine? Do you want to know the latest in primary care diagnosis and treatment of skin lesions? Go ahead and lock these dates in now!
You can be assured we will bring you the biggest annual event in skin cancer medicine in the Australasian region. Expect a program full of valuable, practical information and many opportunities to catch up and share with your peers either in person or virtually. Click the orange Registration tab above to see full details.
Further details of our exciting line up of topics and speakers will be released soon.
Gold Partners
Featured Speakers

Associate Professor Alex Menzies
Neoadjuvant Therapy and the implications in primary care
How does recent research on neoadjuvant therapy from Melanoma Institute Australia affect primary care practitioners? With most melanomas being diagnosed in the primary care setting what are the implications for referral pathways, potential impact on treatment options and patient management?

Professor Rachael Morton
Where is the map? Creating consistent protocols to manage patients after a primary skin cancer diagnosis.
Professor Rachael Morton will be providing an epidemiological and financial perspective in the compelling first Congress session discussion on creating guidelines for patient follow-up in the primary care setting.

Associate Professor Jonathan Stretch AM
The Shave Biopsy Debate
It’s a commonly used technique, but what are the pros and cons? This panel session features Surgical Oncologist and Deputy Medical Director, Melanoma Institute Australia, A/Prof Professor Jonathan Stretch as well as dermatopathologist Dr Blake O’Brien and a skin cancer GP to discuss.

Professor Pascale Guitera
Rethinking skin surveillance for high-risk melanoma patients
Professor Pascale Guitera– Recent research has demonstrated that it is feasible for a structured surveillance program to be implemented on a large scale in numerous settings, including dermatology clinics and primary care skin cancer clinics. Clinicians at four different clinics in NSW found that two-thirds of new melanomas were detected with the help of total body photography and digital dermoscopy monitoring.

Dr Blake O’Brien
The Shave Biopsy Debate
Dr Blake O’Brien will be presenting a Dermatopathologists perspective in our panel session on the Shave Biopsy Debate. He will be joined by Surgical Oncologist and Deputy Medical Director, Melanoma Institute Australia, A/Prof Professor Jonathan Stretch and a skin cancer GP to discuss.

Dr James Bricknell
Field treatment for Actinic Keratosis
Topical treatment with a Calcipotriol/5-FU mix can be a game changer.
Learn the practical tips to achieve increased patient satisfaction and compliance.

Professor David Whiteman
Skin cancer risk prediction tools – What works for primary care?
Why are there are so many different tools from different organisations? Which one should clinicians use? How do we avoid patient confusion? Will there ever be a single definitive tool? Prof David Whiteman, leading skin cancer researcher and epidemiologist will explain the challenges of skin cancer risk prediction and help primary care practitioners make informed choices about assessing risk.

Professor Tarl Prow
Drug repurposing for skin cancer treatment.
Taking a fresh look at proven and trusted drugs can have unexpected results. Professor Tarl Prow, PhD, Medical Microtechnology Laboratory Head, University of South Australia, will outline how a chance discovery may have a positive change on the future treatment of SCC.

Professor Peter Soyer
Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis: an update and current studies cancer risk prediction tools
Professor Soyer is a world leader in the field of dermatology with particular expertise in dermatooncology and dermatologic imaging. He will be presenting in a session focussed on the clinical and commercial pros and cons of imaging technology in skin cancer practice – is it improving diagnosis?

Dr Ian Katz
Probability for skin cancer doctors.
Dermatopathologist from Southern Sun Pathology, Dr Ian Katz, will update on probability for skin cancer doctors. What do measures of sensitivity and specificity actually mean?

Professor Rachel Neale
Sun exposure – How much is enough?
This update from the March 2021 Sun Exposure Summit featuring Professor Rachel Neale, the head of the Cancer and Aetiology Group at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, will inform how you advise your patients about healthy sun exposure.

Dr Eric Khoo
The role of radiotherapy for field change (IEC) skin and other skin cancers.
Dr Eric Khoo, Radiation Oncologist at Icon Cancer Centre, Gold Coast will address radiotherapy as a treatment modality. Learn which patients to refer, the pros and cons of this treatment paradigm and the broader role of radiotherapy in other less common skin cancer subtypes.

Dr Phil Hayden
Nerve Blocks – Optimising Your Technique
Dr Phil Hayden, SCCA Fellow and Educator, is a highly experienced full time skin cancer clinician based in Cairns. Phil is a passionate believer that safe, high quality skin cancer medicine and surgery can and should be delivered in a primary care setting. Using live close-up images on the big screen, watch as Phil demonstrates how to improve your technique with anaesthetic nerve blocks.
DAY 1 - Friday, 28 May 2021 |
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SESSION 1 9.00 am | Where is the map? Creating consistent protocols to manage patients after a primary skin cancer diagnosis.
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10.30 am | Morning Tea |
SESSION 2 11.00 am | Sun Exposure Update: How much is enough? - Prof Rachel Neale This update from the March 2021 Sun Exposure Summit will inform how GPs advise patients about healthy sun exposure. |
12.30 pm | Lunch |
SESSION 3 1.30 pm | Non-surgical treatments - new and emerging options
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3.00 pm | Afternoon Tea |
SESSION 4 3.30 pm | Skin cancer risk prediction tools - What works for primary care? - Prof David Whiteman Presentation of new SCCA Fellows |
5.30 pm | Welcome Drinks |
DAY 2 - Saturday, 29 May 2021 |
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SESSION 5 9.00 am |
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10.30 am | Morning Tea |
SESSION 6 11.00 am | The Shave Biopsy Debate - It’s a commonly used technique, but what are the pros and cons?
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12.30 pm | Lunch |
SESSION 7 1.30 pm |
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3.00 pm | Afternoon Tea |
SESSION 8 3.30 pm | TBD |
7.30 pm | Congress Dinner |
DAY 3 - Sunday, 30 May 2021 |
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SESSION 9 9.00 am | Skin imaging in skin cancer practice - The bigger picture An update on the latest technology, is it improving diagnosis? The clinical and commercial pros and cons of imaging technology in skin cancer practice.
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10.30 am | Morning Tea |
SESSION 10 11.00 am | See the light! - PDT in primary practice An update on PDT systems. What works, patient feedback and clinical benefits.
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12.30 pm | EVENT CLOSE |
Program content is subject to change.

Welcome back to The Star, Gold Coast.
This stunning location, set among lush tropical gardens, is the home of the Australasian Skin Cancer Congress. We can’t wait to see you, Better Together, at The Star in 2021.
With its luxurious accommodation and spa, iconic bars, restaurants and entertainment precincts, alongside the thrills of a world-class casino, The Star Gold Coast is Australia’s five-star fun-parlour.
Special rates for Australasian Skin Cancer Congress delegates start at $279 (AUD) per night for a Superior Deluxe Room. This special rate is available for 3 days pre and post Congress.
Rooms at this rate are limited and will book fast. Click here or phone +617 5592 8130 to book accommodation and quote discount code SCC190521.
RESTAURANT DISCOUNT
In addition, will also receive a 10% discount to all food & beverage outlets (excludes Nineteen on weekends and Kiyomi), and The Shop @ The Star upon presentation of conference lanyard. This offer is valid for conference dates and for bookings up to 9 guests.
Congress Registration FAQ’s
If my situation changes and I cannot attend due to COVID restrictions, is Congress 2021 registration refundable?
If national or state government pandemic restrictions* prevent your in-person attendance at Congress 2021:
- Your in-person event registration will be converted to a virtual event registration. No charge will apply for this change.
- If you have purchased tickets to the Congress Dinner to be held at The Star on 29 May, they will be refunded in full.
- If you have purchased tickets to the Welcome Drinks to be held at The Star on 28 May, they will be refunded in full.
*applies to restrictions in force up to and including 26 May 2021.
What happens to my registration if the in-person event cannot go ahead at The Star Gold Coast due to COVID?
If national or state government pandemic restrictions* prevent Congress 2021 from being held at The Star Gold Coast, the event will proceed in a fully virtual format.
All registrations will revert to virtual and you will have online access to the recorded content for 12 months after the event.
All in-person event registrations will be converted to virtual registration. No charge will apply for this change.
If you have purchased tickets to the Congress Dinner to be held at The Star on 29 May, they will be refunded in full.
If you have purchased tickets to the Welcome Drinks to be held at The Star on 28 May, they will be refunded in full.
*applies to restrictions announced up to and including 26 May 2021.
What if I change my mind and want to attend in-person? Or vice versa?
You can change your Congress 2021 registration from in-person to virtual or vice versa up to 5.00pm (AEST) 7 May 2021. No charge will apply.
After this date, the mode of attendance cannot be changed, except because of Government imposed pandemic restrictions, or at the discretion of SCCA.
What if I want to cancel my registration?
Congress 2021 registration may be cancelled by submitting a request to the SCCA via email no later than 5.00pm (AEST) 7 May 2021. An administration fee of $250 will apply.
Cancellations after this date will not be refunded.
Congress 2021 registration may be transferred to another person at no extra charge.
What COVID measures will be in place for delegate well-being?
The Star Gold Coast have safety as their first priority. Information about their COVIDSafe Plan can be found here.
Why is in-person and virtual event registration the same price?
We are pleased to be able to provide both in-person and virtual attendance options at Australasian Skin Cancer Congress in 2021. This means, regardless of national or state government COVID restrictions, we can provide skin cancer medicine professionals with access to this leading event regardless of their location of travel preferences.
The cost of the resources and technical input required to provide virtual access is not dissimilar to the hosting cost for in-person attendees. Therefore we are able to offer equal cost registration options for all delegates whether they choose to attend in-person or virtually.
Can I access the recorded event after Congress has concluded?
Yes, if you have registered as a delegate (in-person or virtual) you can access the recordings of this valuable content for 12 months after the event. Unfortunately if you do not register prior to May 28th 2021 there will be no options to access the recordings. Please REGISTER VIRTUALLY OR IN-PERSON NOW!
Here are the Registration Terms and Conditions
Here’s what our delegates said about our 2020 Virtual Skin Symposium



Here’s what our delegates said about our 2019 Congress



