Skin Check Guide
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Australia. In fact, Australia and New Zealand have the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. A formal skin check is an opportunity for your doctor to look at any skin lesions that you are concerned about and to proactively look for skin cancer on your entire body. Skin checks take place over a long appointment.
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Your Doctor can make a plan with you about what lesions need treatment and which ones you should continue to monitor in future.
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Who is at risk?
Because of the harsh UV radiation in Australia, everyone is at risk. You are particularly at risk and should consider a full skin check if you:
- Have a past history of skin cancer or Melanoma
- Have a strong family history of skin cancer
- Have a history of sunburns
- Have multiple moles (more than 100)
- Are immunosuppressed (which increases your risk of some skin cancers)
- In addition, older men 65-89 are deemed high risk in some Australian areas.
How to prepare for the skin check
1) The best way to prepare for your skin check is to think about any moles that you are worried about so that your Doctor can spend more time on these. In particular, try to identify any moles that:
- Are changing or growing
- Are itching or bleeding
- You have been told should be monitored
- Are new, especially on the head and neck.
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2) Please remove makeup and nail polish - these can either completely hide small cancers, or change what they look like, making them easy to miss
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3) Your Doctor won't look at any private areas unless you have any specific concerns, so it is helpful to identify any lesions there that you would like looked at
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4) If you'd like a friend or family member present for your skin check to support you, then ask them! They're welcome as long as you want them
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5) The reception staff will give you some forms to complete while you are waiting, so it's a good idea to arrive 10 minutes before your appointment to read through these and ask your doctor any questions.
What to expect in the Skin Check
You'll first have the opportunity to meet your doctor and ask any questions you have about the check.
Once you're comfortable and ready you'll be given space to change down to your underwear and get comfortable on the examination couch.
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A Doctor will look at your moles step-by-step, including with a device called a dermatoscope which lets them see the moles in more detail that you can see with just your eye. This may involve using a gel which you can wipe away afterwards.
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The Doctor or Nurse will take 2x magnified photos of the skin lesions with your consent, including a photo with the dermatoscope. The photos are uploaded to a record keeping software for recording and analysis, and can be reviewed later as part of your GP's medical records. This is taken on a mobile phone device but is only stored in the medical records. For more information please ask your Doctor or Nurse.
What happens after?
After the skin check your Doctor will explain your treatment options. This may be active monitoring, where your Doctor will recommend a time frame to repeat either a full skin check or individual mole check.
What if a lesion is supicious of cancer?
If the Doctor identifies a lesion that may be suspicious of cancer, they will discuss with you treatment options, which usually involves surgical excision. This can be done at our Guardian Medical skin cancer clinic and our helpful team can book you in and provide your paperwork before you leave. Once removed, the doctor can send the lesion to our labs to biopsy and tell us if the cancer has been completely removed, and what type of skin cancer it was.