Skin Cancer Checks

Unfortunately, they are prevalent, and 66% of Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer before they turn 70. This is almost three times the rate in the US or the UK.

Annually, over 750,000 people are treated for non-melanoma skin cancers in Australia. These non-melanoma skin cancers are twice as common in men.

Melanoma skin cancer affects over 12,000 Australians annually; it is the most common cancer among Australians between 15-44 years.

Skin Cancer Risk Factors

Specific individuals may be at higher risk of developing skin cancer and may benefit from more frequent or earlier skin cancer screenings. These individuals include:

• People with fair skin, blond or red hair, and blue or green eyes.
• People who have a history of sunburns, particularly early in life.
• People who have a family history of skin cancer.
• People with a history of excessive sun exposure from outdoor activities or indoor tanning.
• People with many moles or moles that are large, irregularly shaped, or have multiple colours.

Getting a baseline skin cancer check by a dermatologist in early adulthood is a good idea, and then continuing with regular checkups. It's also important to be aware of any skin changes and bring them to your doctor's attention.

What is a Skin Cancer Check?

A skin cancer check, also known as a skin exam, is a visual examination of the skin performed by a healthcare professional, such as a dermatologist or primary care physician. 

A skin cancer check aims to identify any abnormal or suspicious moles, growths, or other skin changes that could indicate skin cancer. During a skin cancer check, the healthcare professional will 

• Inspect the skin surface, including the face, scalp, ears, neck, arms, hands, legs, and feet. 
• Use a dermatoscope, a handheld device that magnifies the skin to aid the examination. If any suspicious or abnormal areas are found, 
• a biopsy may be performed to confirm or rule out the presence of skin cancer. 

Regular skin cancer checks are essential for the early detection and treatment of skin cancer.

Get Familiar With Your Skin & Body

We encourage patients to be familiar with their skin and aware of any changes that might suggest skin cancer.

Look for anything changing uniquely on your skin for over 2-3 weeks. Evidence could include:

• Crusty sores,
• Skin lesions that don't heal,
• New spots,
• Freckles, or moles,
• Skin areas or lesions that change in colour or thickness.

If you notice any of these changes, immediately arrange an appointment with our doctors for a skin check.

While you may be able to find a few precancerous or cancerous moles yourself, it is always better to put your trust in a doctor using effective and accurate tools to detect skin cancer.

Benefits of Regular Skin Cancer Checks

Skin cancer checks have several benefits, including:

• Early detection: Skin cancer checks can help identify skin cancer in its early stages when it is most treatable. Early detection can lead to better outcomes and a higher chance of successful treatment.
• Prevention: During a skin cancer check, a doctor can also advise on reducing the risk of skin cancer, such as avoiding excessive sun exposure and using sunscreen.
• Peace of mind: A skin cancer check can provide peace of mind to individuals concerned about their skin health. Individuals can feel reassured that their skin is healthy if no abnormal or suspicious areas are found.
• Personalised care: Skin cancer checks can also monitor existing moles or growths identified as high risk for cancer. This allows for early detection of changes and personalised care to manage potential risks.
• Cost-effective: Skin cancer checks are a cost-effective way to detect skin cancer and prevent it from progressing. Early skin cancer detection and treatment can be less expensive and less invasive than treating advanced stages.

Regular skin cancer checks are essential for maintaining good skin health and identifying potential issues early on. A primary care physician or a dermatologist can perform them.

Types of Skin Cancer Checks

There are several types of skin cancer checks that doctors may use to identify skin cancer:

• Visual examination: A doctor will inspect the entire skin surface, including the face, scalp, ears, neck, arms, hands, legs, and feet. They will look for abnormal or suspicious moles, growths, or other skin changes indicative of skin cancer.
• Dermoscopy: Dermoscopy is a non-invasive diagnostic method where a handheld device called a dermatoscope is used to magnify the skin. It allows a doctor to examine the skin in more detail, including the colour, shape, and structure of moles or other skin lesions.
• Biopsy: If a doctor identifies a suspicious mole or growth, they may perform a biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure where a small skin sample is taken and examined under a microscope to determine if it is cancerous.
• Total body photography: This is a technique where an individual's whole body is photographed, and a doctor can analyse pictures later to check for any changes; this is particularly useful for individuals with a lot of moles or has had previous skin cancer.
• Blood tests: Blood tests are not typically used as a primary screening tool for skin cancer, but in some cases, they can be used to help detect the presence of cancer cells in the body.

A skin cancer check is not a definitive diagnosis, and a biopsy may be needed to confirm the presence of skin cancer.

Body Scan (Mole Mapping)

What is a Body Scan (Mole Mapping)?

Body scan or mole mapping is a specialised type of skin cancer check that uses high-resolution photography to create a detailed map of an individual's skin. The procedure identifies and monitors any changes in moles, growths, and other skin lesions over time.

The procedure is typically performed by a dermatologist or a specialist in skin cancer and typically involves taking multiple high-resolution photographs of an individual's skin. A doctor then analyses these photographs to identify any suspicious moles or growths that may need further examination or biopsy.

The importance of mole mapping lies in its ability to detect skin cancer in its early stages when it is most treatable. By identifying and monitoring any changes in moles or growths over time, doctors can detect skin cancer before it can progress and spread.

Benefits of Mole Mapping

• Early detection: By monitoring changes in moles or growths over time, mole mapping can help detect skin cancer in its early stages.
• Personalised care: Mole mapping allows doctors to monitor moles or growths identified as high risk for cancer, providing personalised care to manage potential danger.
• Peace of mind: Regular mole mapping can provide peace of mind to individuals concerned about their skin health.
• Cost-effective: Early skin cancer detection and treatment can be less expensive and less invasive than treating advanced stages of the disease.

Who is Mole Mapping Suitable For?

Mole Mapping is suitable for people who:

• Have a lot of moles or have had previous skin cancer.
• Are at an increased risk of skin cancer due to family history, fair skin or other risk factors.
• They are concerned about their skin health and want to detect potential issues early on.

Mole mapping is a specialised type of skin cancer check that uses high-resolution photography to create a detailed map of an individual's skin. It is used to identify and monitor any changes in moles, growths, and other skin lesions over time, to detect skin cancer early and provide personalised care.

Dermatologist

What is a Dermatologist?

A dermatologist is a medical doctor specialising in diagnosing and treating skin, hair, and nail conditions. It is recommended that individuals consult a dermatologist for a skin cancer check if they notice any changes in the appearance of their skin, such as new moles or growths, or if they have a history of skin cancer or are at an increased risk of developing the disease.

Who Should Consult a Dermatologist?

Dermatologist consultation is suitable for people who:

• Have a history of skin cancer or are at an increased risk of developing the disease.
• Notice any changes in the appearance of their skin, such as new moles or growths.
• Have a skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis, or acne.
• Have hair and nail conditions or cosmetic concerns.
• Regularly exposed to UV rays from sun or tanning beds

When to Consult a Dermatologist?

Some common reasons to consult a dermatologist include the following:

• Skin cancer screening: Regular skin cancer checks with a dermatologist can help detect skin cancer in its early stages when it is most treatable.
• Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or acne: A dermatologist can diagnose and recommend treatment options for these and other skin conditions.
• Hair and nail conditions: A dermatologist can also diagnose and treat hair loss, scalp conditions, and nail fungus.
• Cosmetic concerns: Some dermatologists also provide cosmetic services such as Botox injections and laser hair removal.

The importance of consulting a dermatologist for skin cancer checks is that they are experts in diagnosing and treating skin cancer and can detect the disease early when it is most treatable.

Benefits of Consulting a Dermatologist

• Early detection: Dermatologists are trained to identify and diagnose skin cancer, which can lead to early detection and treatment.
• Personalised care: A dermatologist can provide personalised care and treatment options based on an individual's needs and health history.
• Peace of mind: Regular skin cancer checks with a dermatologist can provide peace of mind, knowing that any potential issues are being monitored.

A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating skin, hair, and nail conditions and can provide skin cancer checks. They are experts in identifying and diagnosing skin cancer and can provide personalised care and treatment options based on an individual's needs and health history.