Keeping on top of skin cancer doesn’t have to be difficult. Although conducting self-checks for skin cancer once every three months is important, regularly getting your skin looked at by a professional is essential for early detection, treatment and prevention.
At SunDoctors, we welcome new patients to come in for a quick and easy check-up, especially if you have noticed any recent changes to your moles and spots. Most of our doctors are general practitioners with particular expertise in skin cancer so referrals are not necessary.
The skin check process
Getting a skin cancer screening is not only quick and easy, it’s also completely safe and painless. Simply put, a doctor will examine your skin for changes, irregularities, or anything else that doesn’t look right.
Generally, patients will undergo a full check of their body, which should only take around 15 minutes to conduct. Most patients, especially those visiting for the first time, should receive a full body check. This involves checking the entirety of your body – with the exception of the breast, buttock and genital areas – after having stripped down to your underwear.
If you would prefer a more limited examination, such as a single area of your body or even a single spot, that can also be accommodated for. In these situations, only the clothing that is covering that area/spot will need to be removed.
To allow for an optimal skin cancer screening, it is highly recommended that you not wear any makeup or nail polish to your appointment.
The procedure itself
If you have any particular moles or spots that you are concerned about, let the examining doctor know.
Dermoscopy, or the examination of skin lesions, is performed using a handheld dermatoscope. A computerised dermatoscope may also be used if needed. Spots or moles that are of interest to the doctor will be recorded, analysed, and potentially excised if required.
What if further treatment is necessary?
Though treatments such as biopsies are often carried out at the initial skin cancer screening, excisions through surgery require an additional appointment. If this is the case, the doctor will discuss what to expect regarding scheduling, costs, and surgical options with you.
Here at SunDoctors Skin Cancer Clinics, we are private billing practices. Please contact your preferred SunDoctors’ clinic to arrange an appointment and ask about the consultation, procedure and treatment fees as well as available Medicare rebates.
