Clinical Senior Lecturer
Honorary Senior Fellow
Overview
BSc, MBBS, MPH, PhD, FRACGP, FACD
Dr Lena von Schuckmann is a clinician researcher, with dual medical specialist training in dermatology and general practice. Her research is focused on skin cancer prevention, early detection, and optimising skin cancer treatment. She is passionate about improving the cancer journey for patients.
She works as a consultant dermatologist at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Sunshine Coast University Hospital and private clinics in Spring Hill and the Samford Valley.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy of Public Health, The University of Queensland
- Masters (Extended) of Public Health, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor of Medicine Surgery, The University of Queensland
Publications
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Journal Article: International time trends and differences in topical actinic keratosis therapy utilization
Zhao, Heather J., Ushcatz, Inna, Tadrous, Mina, Aoki, Valeria, Chang, Aileen Y., Levell, Nick J., Von Schuckmann, Lena and Drucker, Aaron M. (2024). International time trends and differences in topical actinic keratosis therapy utilization. JAAD International. doi: 10.1016/j.jdin.2024.03.013
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Lee, Ruby Chia‐Lin, Liyanage, Upekha, Fry, Kirsty, Brown, Susan, von Schuckmann, Lena, Spelman, Lynda, Soyer, H. Peter, Neale, Rachel E., Gordon, Louisa G., Whiteman, David C., Olsen, Catherine M., Janda, Monika and Khosrotehrani, Kiarash (2023). Patterns and cost of care according to keratinocyte cancer risk stratification in a volunteer population screening clinic: real‐world data from the TRoPICS study. Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 64 (3), 389-396. doi: 10.1111/ajd.14054
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Journal Article: Conditional survival in patients with stage IB‐IIIA melanoma undergoing sentinel node biopsy in Queensland: a longitudinal study
Tedman, Alexander James, Liyanage, Upekha E., Chong, Sharene, Rowe, Casey, von Schuckmann, Lena A., Malt, Maryrose, Green, Adele C., Smithers, B. Mark and Khosrotehrani, Kiarash (2023). Conditional survival in patients with stage IB‐IIIA melanoma undergoing sentinel node biopsy in Queensland: a longitudinal study. Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 64 (1), e34-e40. doi: 10.1111/ajd.13974
Supervision
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Evaluating the impact of social determinants of health on melanoma outcomes
Master Philosophy
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Evaluating the effects of chronic diseases and lifestyle on the risk of melanoma recurrence
Master Philosophy
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Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours regarding balancing the risks and benefits of sun exposure
Master Philosophy
Available Projects
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Primary Melanoma Project
The Primary Melanoma Project was established to investigate the natural history of high-risk primary melanomas and to identify risk factors for disease progression. The cohort consists of 700 patients and 10-year follow-up data will be collected in 2024. The following research projects are available and would suit Brisbane-based candidates with a background in medicine, public health, and/or those with an interest in dermatology:
1. Evaluating the impact of dietary factors on melanoma recurrence
2. Evaluating the impact of clinical factors (tumour transection during biopsy, excision margins etc) on melanoma recurrence
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Skin Cancer Diagnosis Study
The skin cancer diagnosis study aims to compare the sensitivity and specificity of skin checks performed in-person versus those performed via digital imaging/ dermoscopy. Data collection will occur at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital and data analysis will be based at UQ TRI. This project would suit an MPhil candidate with an interest in clinical research, medicine and/or dermatology.
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Skin Cancer Burden Study
This project aims to identify patients who are at greatest risk of developing multiple high-risk skin cancers, therefore warranting close monitoring in public dermatology outpatient clinics. Data collection for this study will be based at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. This project would suit a HDR candidate with an interest in epidemiology, public health and skin cancer medicine.
Publications
Journal Article
-
International time trends and differences in topical actinic keratosis therapy utilization
Zhao, Heather J., Ushcatz, Inna, Tadrous, Mina, Aoki, Valeria, Chang, Aileen Y., Levell, Nick J., Von Schuckmann, Lena and Drucker, Aaron M. (2024). International time trends and differences in topical actinic keratosis therapy utilization. JAAD International. doi: 10.1016/j.jdin.2024.03.013
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Lee, Ruby Chia‐Lin, Liyanage, Upekha, Fry, Kirsty, Brown, Susan, von Schuckmann, Lena, Spelman, Lynda, Soyer, H. Peter, Neale, Rachel E., Gordon, Louisa G., Whiteman, David C., Olsen, Catherine M., Janda, Monika and Khosrotehrani, Kiarash (2023). Patterns and cost of care according to keratinocyte cancer risk stratification in a volunteer population screening clinic: real‐world data from the TRoPICS study. Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 64 (3), 389-396. doi: 10.1111/ajd.14054
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Tedman, Alexander James, Liyanage, Upekha E., Chong, Sharene, Rowe, Casey, von Schuckmann, Lena A., Malt, Maryrose, Green, Adele C., Smithers, B. Mark and Khosrotehrani, Kiarash (2023). Conditional survival in patients with stage IB‐IIIA melanoma undergoing sentinel node biopsy in Queensland: a longitudinal study. Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 64 (1), e34-e40. doi: 10.1111/ajd.13974
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Gramp, Prudence, Zappala, Tania, Von Schuckmann, Lena, Payton, Diane and Wheller, Laura (2022). Importance of histopathological analysis and molecular genetics in a rare neonatal case of rhabdomyosarcoma. Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 63 (3), 380-384. doi: 10.1111/ajd.13849
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Patient age and risk of recurrence of primary melanoma at high risk of spread
Ghiasvand, R., Khosrotehrani, K., Hughes, M.C.B., von Schuckmann, L. A., Beesley, V. L., Malt, M., Smithers, B. M. and Green, A. C. (2021). Patient age and risk of recurrence of primary melanoma at high risk of spread. British Journal of Dermatology, 184 (3) bjd.19601, 566-568. doi: 10.1111/bjd.19601
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Clinical utility of skin cancer and melanoma risk scores for population screening: TRoPICS study
Shetty, A., Janda, M., Fry, K., Brown, S., Yau, B., Schuckmann, L. Von, Thomas, S., Rayner, J.E., Spelman, L., Wagner, G., Jenkins, H., Lun, K., Parbery, J., Soyer, H.P., Neale, R.E., Green, A.C., Whiteman, D.C., Olsen, C.M. and Khosrotehrani, K. (2020). Clinical utility of skin cancer and melanoma risk scores for population screening: TRoPICS study. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 35 (5) jdv.17062, 1094-1098. doi: 10.1111/jdv.17062
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Beesley, Vanessa L., Hughes, Maria Celia B., Smithers, B. Mark, Khosrotehrani, Kiarash, Malt, Maryrose K., von Schuckmann, Lena A. and Green, Adèle C. (2020). Anxiety and depression after diagnosis of high-risk primary cutaneous melanoma: a 4-year longitudinal study. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 14 (5), 712-719. doi: 10.1007/s11764-020-00885-9
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von Schuckmann, Lena A., Khosrotehrani, Kiarash, Hughes, Maria Celia B., van der Pols, Jolieke C., Malt, Maryrose, Smithers, B. Mark and Green, Adele C. (2020). Prognostic implications of biopsy with tumor transection for patients with high-risk primary melanoma. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 82 (6), 1521-1524. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2020.01.067
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Patterns of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acid Dietary Intake and Melanoma Thickness at Diagnosis
Mahamat-Saleh, Yahya, Hughes, Maria Celia B., Miura, Kyoko, Malt, Maryrose K., von Schuckmann, Lena, Khosrotehrani, Kiarash, Smithers, B. Mark and Green, Adèle C. (2020). Patterns of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acid Dietary Intake and Melanoma Thickness at Diagnosis. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, 29 (8), 1647-1653. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-20-0319
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Statins may reduce disease recurrence in patients with ulcerated primary melanoma
von Schuckmann, L. A., Khosrotehrani, K., Ghiasvand, R., Hughes, M. C.B., van der Pols, J. C., Malt, M., Smithers, B. M. and Green, A. C. (2020). Statins may reduce disease recurrence in patients with ulcerated primary melanoma. British Journal of Dermatology, 183 (6), 1049-1055. doi: 10.1111/bjd.19012
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Educating early childhood educators on rashes in children under their care in Australia
Kanellis, Vangelis G., Kanellis, Alice L., Von Schuckmann, Lena and Miller, Andrew (2020). Educating early childhood educators on rashes in children under their care in Australia. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 56 (1), 180-181. doi: 10.1111/jpc.14716
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Kanellis, Vangelis George, Kanellis, Alice Louise, Von Schuckmann, Lena and Miller, Andrew (2019). Education of children, their parents and staff on sun safety practices in the Australian early childhood education setting. Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 61 (2) ajd.13219, 160-161. doi: 10.1111/ajd.13219
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Regular sunscreen use and risk of mortality: long-term follow-up of a skin cancer prevention trial
Lindstrom, Akiaja R., von Schuckmann, Lena A., Hughes, Maria Celia B., Williams, Gail M., Green, Adele C. and van der Pols, Jolieke C. (2019). Regular sunscreen use and risk of mortality: long-term follow-up of a skin cancer prevention trial. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 56 (5), 742-746. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2018.11.025
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Risk of melanoma recurrence after diagnosis of a high-risk primary tumor
Von Schuckmann, Lena A., Hughes, Maria Celia B., Ghiasvand, Reza, Malt, Maryrose, Van Der Pols, Jolieke C., Beesley, Vanessa L., Khosrotehrani, Kiarash, Smithers, B. Mark and Green, Adele C. (2019). Risk of melanoma recurrence after diagnosis of a high-risk primary tumor. JAMA Dermatology, 155 (6), 688-693. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2019.0440
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von Schuckmann, Lena A., Wilson, Louise F., Hughes, Maria Celia B., Beesley, Vanessa L., Janda, Monika, van der Pols, Jolieke C., Smithers, B. Mark, Khosrotehrani, Kiarash and Green, Adele C. (2019). Sun protection behaviour after diagnosis of high-risk primary melanoma and risk of a subsequent primary. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 80 (1), 139-148.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2018.06.068
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Survival of patients with early invasive melanoma down-staged under the new 8 AJCC edition
von Schuckmann, Lena A., Hughes, Maria Celia B., Lee, Rebecca, Lorigan, Paul, Khosrotehrani, Kiarash, Smithers, B. Mark and Green, Adele C. (2019). Survival of patients with early invasive melanoma down-staged under the new 8 AJCC edition. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 80 (1), 272-274. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2018.04.017
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Clustering of prevention behaviours in patients with high-risk primary melanoma
Green, Adèle C., Hughes, Maria Celia B., von Schuckmann, Lena A., Khosrotehrani, Kiarash and Mark Smithers, B. (2018). Clustering of prevention behaviours in patients with high-risk primary melanoma. Psycho-Oncology, 27 (5), 1442-1449. doi: 10.1002/pon.4565
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Is occupational sun exposure important for squamous cell carcinoma risk?
von Schuckmann, Lena A. (2018). Is occupational sun exposure important for squamous cell carcinoma risk?. British Journal of Dermatology, 178 (2), 325-326. doi: 10.1111/bjd.16168
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Associations of statins and diabetes with diagnosis of ulcerated cutaneous melanoma
von Schuckmann, Lena A., Smith, David, Hughes, Maria Celia B., Malt, Maryrose, van der Pols, Jolieke C., Khosrotehrani, Kiarash, Smithers, Bernard M. and Green, Adele C. (2017). Associations of statins and diabetes with diagnosis of ulcerated cutaneous melanoma. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 137 (12), 2599-2605. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2017.07.836
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von Schuckmann, Lena A., Smithers, Bernhard M., Khosrotehrani, Kiarash, Beesley, Vanessa L., van der Pols, Jolieke C., Hughes, Maria B. and Green, Adele C. (2017). Use of support services in a sample of patients with high-risk primary melanomas in urban, regional and rural Queensland. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 41 (3), 315-319. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.12662
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Forearm hair density and risk of keratinocyte cancers in Australian adults
von Schuckmann, L. A., Hughes, M. C., Green, A. C. and van der Pols, J. C. (2016). Forearm hair density and risk of keratinocyte cancers in Australian adults. Archives of Dermatological Research, 308 (9), 617-624. doi: 10.1007/s00403-016-1680-5
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Von Schuckmann, Lena A., Law, Matthew H., Montgomery, Grant W., Green, Adele C. and van der Pols, Jolieke C. (2016). Vitamin D pathway gene polymorphisms and keratinocyte cancers: a nested case-control study and meta-analysis. Anticancer Research, 36 (5), 2145-2152.
Conference Publication
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Body hair density and risk of keratinocyte skin cancer in Australian adults
von Schuckmann, L. A., Green, A. C. and van der Pols, J. C. (2015). Body hair density and risk of keratinocyte skin cancer in Australian adults. Australasian College of Dermatologists 48th Annual Scientific Meeting, Adelaide, Australia, 16 May 2015. Richmond, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/ajd.12337
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Vitamin D receptor polymorphisms and keratinocyte skin cancers: a cohort study and meta-analysis
von Schuckmann, L. A., Law, M. H., Montgomery, G. W., Green, A. C. and van der Pols, J. C. (2015). Vitamin D receptor polymorphisms and keratinocyte skin cancers: a cohort study and meta-analysis. Australasian College of Dermatologists 48th Annual Scientific Meeting, Adelaide, Australia, 16 May 2015. Richmond, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/ajd.12337
Other Outputs
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Natural history of high-risk cutaneous primary melanoma and risk factors for disease progression
von Schuckmann, Lena (2020). Natural history of high-risk cutaneous primary melanoma and risk factors for disease progression. PhD Thesis, School of Public Health, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/b9f67ab
PhD and MPhil Supervision
Current Supervision
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Evaluating the impact of social determinants of health on melanoma outcomes
Master Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
-
Evaluating the effects of chronic diseases and lifestyle on the risk of melanoma recurrence
Master Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
-
Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours regarding balancing the risks and benefits of sun exposure
Master Philosophy — Associate Advisor
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Understanding and targeting determinants of mortality from melanoma
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Possible Research Projects
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.
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Primary Melanoma Project
The Primary Melanoma Project was established to investigate the natural history of high-risk primary melanomas and to identify risk factors for disease progression. The cohort consists of 700 patients and 10-year follow-up data will be collected in 2024. The following research projects are available and would suit Brisbane-based candidates with a background in medicine, public health, and/or those with an interest in dermatology:
1. Evaluating the impact of dietary factors on melanoma recurrence
2. Evaluating the impact of clinical factors (tumour transection during biopsy, excision margins etc) on melanoma recurrence
-
Skin Cancer Diagnosis Study
The skin cancer diagnosis study aims to compare the sensitivity and specificity of skin checks performed in-person versus those performed via digital imaging/ dermoscopy. Data collection will occur at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital and data analysis will be based at UQ TRI. This project would suit an MPhil candidate with an interest in clinical research, medicine and/or dermatology.
-
Skin Cancer Burden Study
This project aims to identify patients who are at greatest risk of developing multiple high-risk skin cancers, therefore warranting close monitoring in public dermatology outpatient clinics. Data collection for this study will be based at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. This project would suit a HDR candidate with an interest in epidemiology, public health and skin cancer medicine.
