The Sproetenbus on the Stationsplein is busy. The ‘bus’ is located in Beverwijk and people can have a suspicious spot on their skin checked for skin cancer. Visitors tell NH that the Sproetenbus is experienced as ‘more accessible’ than the GP.
Skin cancer is, according to, among others, KWF Cancer Control, the most common type of cancer in the Netherlands with 83,300 people diagnosed each year. The fact that the Sproetenbus is located in the IJmond is not entirely coincidental, because North Holland, with its sun-drenched coastal region, is one of the provinces with the most diagnoses of skin cancer in the Netherlands.
Dermatologist
De Fretenbus works together with a professional dermatologist. Healthcare personnel receive clients on the bus and they take pictures of the suspicious spots, which are then sent directly to the dermatologist without the intervention of a general practitioner. The result will follow within two weeks. Pauline van der Gulik is one of the initiators and director of the Sproetenbus and she has adjusted the opening hours to the enormous demand. “There is a real storm. We are working on a pilot to see how things are going. People were queuing up. Clients are now registering online first to schedule an appointment. Due to the enormous demand for care, we are now also available in the evening and open on weekends.
Accessible
An elderly gentleman explains why he chooses the Frecklebus. “I’m here because it’s accessible. My wife urged me to drop by with a spot on my arm that I’ve been walking with for a long time. It’s good to be on the safe side.” A mother with two children is also happy with the low-threshold bus. “I don’t have to hang on the phone for an appointment with the doctor and then wait again.” Incidentally, an appointment must be made online.
Skin cancer is usually caused by damage to the skin cells due to too much exposure to UV radiation. You come into contact with UV radiation through the sun, but also by lying under a sunbed, for example.
Lifesaving
The University Medical Center therefore says in its information: “It is important to protect yourself well against UV radiation such as sunlight. This can be done by wearing protective clothing such as a sun hat and sunglasses when the sun is shining. You also protect yourself against UV radiation. radiation by properly applying an anti-sunscreen with a high protection factor.It is important to cover every spot on the skin changes in appearance or size to be checked by a doctor. In serious forms of skin cancer, such as melanoma, early recognition and treatment itself can be life-saving.” The Sproetenbus is one of the places where you can visit at least the next week by appointment, but the GP is therefore also sufficient to check a suspicious spot.