Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. 90% of skin cancers are due to overexposure to UV light, either from the sun or solariums. The best way to survive skin cancer is early diagnosis and treatment.

What is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer or skin carcinomas are malignant, abnormal, uncontrolled growths or lesions that arise in the skin. Unfortunately, they are very common, and affect 2 in 3 Australians before they turn 70.

Suspicious Moles Diagnosis

Accuracy is important when dealing with melanoma, as you don’t get a second chance. Our doctors are experienced at skin cancer diagnosis and treatment, including the following forms:

• Actinic keratosis
• Atypical moles
• Basal cell carcinoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Melanoma

Skin Cancer Education

Knowledge is power, which is why we want you to know what lesions to look out for, and how to protect yourself and your family. Many patients have identified skin cancer on their friends and family members after their Mole Mapping appointment with us.

Head-to-toe Skin Check

Our staff and experienced doctors will conduct a thorough examination of your skin, assessing moles using advanced technology called dermatoscope – a device used to view the intricate structure of a mole. Moles that meet our criteria will be imaged using a specialised digital dermoscopic camera to create a view of the internal structure (dermoscopic image) and the external structure (clinical image) for subsequent medical diagnosis and comparison.

Total Body Photography

Knowing where your moles aren’t is as important as knowing where they are, because up to 50% of melanomas appear in new skin. You will have a standardised set of high-resolution photographs taken that will create a complete visual record of your skin surface, which is used to identify new moles that appear and any changes in existing ones.

Monitor Changes in Your Moles and Skin Over Time

The 52% of melanomas we find is because we have identified the slightest of change by comparing images over time. We will identify changes in your skin since your previous appointment through: Sequential Digital Dermoscopy Imaging (SDDI) and Clinical Imaging. This technology allows your moles to be re-imaged at follow-ups, to identify changes in the internal and external structures of your moles that have occurred since your last visit. These changes may not be visible to the naked eye.

Full Skin Cancer Checking Service

As part of this service, one of our trained staff performs a systematic total body check and generates digital dermoscopic and total body images.

A doctor will then examine each patient to check each mole and lesion on their skin. They will discuss a treatment program if required, and advise on the best long-term management and prevention.

Some treatment may be performed during this skin check appointment if necessary and the patient requests it.

Each total body skin check takes up to half an hour and is advised for everyone over the age of 18 on an annual basis.