Managing Bowen's disease in primary care settings

Bowen's disease, also called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ is regarded as a precursor to skin cancer. Because of the similarity with other skin conditions, diagnosis can be challenging for clinicians. This article aims to give an overview of the condition and will discuss risk factors, recognition, diagnosis, treatment, and complications. It is hoped that the information provided will give nurses and non-medical prescribers more confidence in recognising this disease with the aim of getting patients an earlier diagnosis, reducing the risk of complications, and improving quality of life.

Bowen's disease is a rare condition thought to affect approximately 15 per 100,000 people in the UK each year (GP Notebook 2020). Although the condition can affect both males and females, approximately three quarters of cases occur in women, commonly in their 60's with a higher occurrence in those with pale skin (Tidy 2021). The condition is rare in patients with darker pigmented skin colouration.