Customer Reviews

Clear and readable guide to a new diagnostic technique - By: Stephen F. Hayes, 03 Mar 2008
The new (actually not so new really, but only quite recently being widely adopted) diagnostic technique of dermoscopy has the potential to reduce the 2,000 or so UK patients who die from malignant melanoma skin cancer. Trainingin the technique is not so easy to find-I paid £250 to attend a day coursein London 2 years ago by the 2 main teachers of this book, that makes the price for this book look cheap, especially if bought together with the Menzies atlas.

The Menzies book is arguably better value for money, as it is a bit cheaper & also comes with an interactive CDROM, & was the one I read first. However, the Johr et al book doesin my opinion (others may differ) have better colour photographs, less jargon & a better communication style. The serious student will obtain both books, the price will be less than the cost to the NHS of a single patient referral to hospital.

The best way to start dermoscopy (in the absence of an apprenticeshipin the skin cancer clinic, unrealistic for most working GPs) is after studying the book, & then with great concern about the risk of giving a false reassurance. However, the vast majority of pigmented lesions presenting to the GP will be benign warts, moles & haemangiomas. Thewse lesions have characteristic dermoscopically visible features, & may be easily proven to be benign by an apprentice dermoscopist using the clear diagnostic criteria for benign lesionsin this boook.

Ifin any doubt the GP must refer suspicious lesions, but workingin a skin cancer clinic & alsoin the community, I can say that every week I see patients referred to hospital with lesions their GP suspected as cancer, which I would NEVER have referred after dermoscoping them.

An added benefit of dermoscopyin the GP surgery is that once it is known that Dr A has a 'skin microscope', more people who are ignoring a suspicious skin lesion whichin fact has the potential to kill them may come forward.

This is a very useful book, certainlyin my view one doctorin each GP surgery should obtain it & then after due study obtain a dermoscope & start using it. Malignant melanoma skin cancer kills 2,000 UK patients per annum & we know that earlier diagnosis is the only factor that can reduce that grim figure. Earlier diagnosis restsin Primary Care with better trained & equipped family doctors.