GPs in skin cancer surgery: When to cut and when to refer

Excision is routine work in primary care, but deciding who should wield the scalpel isn’t always straightforward. In this episode of Life by A Thousand Cuts, A/Prof Tony Dicker explores the real-world judgement calls GPs make every day: when a skin cancer can be safely managed in-house, and when referral is the wiser path.

Tune into the episode below to hear a grounded, experience-based discussion covering:

• Why local anaesthetic tolerance remains a key early filter.
• How size, complexity and your own comfort level influence the decision to proceed.
• The value of working alongside more experienced colleagues, and why observing can still be a worthwhile investment in your skills.
• When patient preference, social factors, and after-care logistics should tip the balance toward referral.
• Why a transparent, informed-consent conversation protects both patient outcomes and your medico-legal footing.

Listen to the podcast

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast on the HealthCert Education YouTube channel.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓  NEW Micro-Course: Introduction to the Dermatoscope
Led by A/Prof Tony Dicker, this short course introduces the dermatoscope as the clinician’s key diagnostic tool for skin examination — a practical foundation for those beginning their journey in skin cancer detection.
✅ Learn how to use the dermatoscope and capture clinical images.
🎖️ 9.5 hours CPD  •  Online  •   $195
👉 Learn more & enrol >

You might also be interested in...

🎓 Micro-Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore short, bite-sized CPD modules in focused topics in skin cancer medicine and surgery. Complete in less than 10 hours from only $95.
➡️ Browse Micro-Courses >

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore our university-assured, structured pathway to elevate your knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers.
➡️ Explore full program >

🎓 HealthCert 365 subscription
Prefer flexible learning across many topics? Access 4,000+ CPD hours on-demand with HealthCert 365 — anytime, any topic, one flat annual fee.
➡️ Discover HealthCert 365 >

Or explore more educational content in Skin Cancer Surgery.

Life by a Thousand Cuts 

This podcast series is designed to help you enhance your clinical decision-making, procedural skills, and confidence in skin cancer management. Focus on real-world cases, surgical techniques and tips, journal article reviews, diagnostic and management insights, and guest interviews with GPs and specialists.

Listen to the previous episode: Local anaesthesia in skin cancer surgery: What the evidence says

About A/Prof Tony Dicker

Associate Professor (Skin Cancer) & Course Coordinator MMed (Skin Cancer), The University of Queensland

Tony Dicker has practised full-time Skin Cancer Medicine in Melbourne since 2004, and previously practised in Brisbane. He obtained his PhD from The University of Queensland in molecular biology of skin cancer with Professor Ian Frazer's group at Princess Alexandra Hospital. He then spent three years as a dermatology registrar at the Royal Brisbane and Princess Alexandra Hospitals.

CPD self-submission

You can self-record CPD for this podcast. If you consume educational content on this blog, you can Quick Log CPD hours with the RACGP/ACRRM via the usual self-submission process. You will be asked to reflect on what you have learned, and you will require supporting evidence such as a screenshot. For more information, view the: RACGP CPD guide | ACRRM CPD guide