standard-title Skin Checks

Skin Checks

Most skin cancers can be found by checking your skin regularly for new spots or spots that change and by having regular skin checks with a trained, experienced doctor.

Self-Checking for Skin Cancer

A simple guide to checking your own skin for skin cancer has been developed.
It’s called SCAN YOUR SKIN [ detailed advice is available at www.scanyourskin.org ]

Basically you need to look for spots or moles with the following features:

S

Sore

 scaly, itchy, bleeding, tender and doesn’t heal within 6 weeks

C

Changing

 in appearance (size, shape, colour)

A

Abnormal

 looks different, feels different, or stands out when compared to others

N

New

 most melanomas and all skin cancers arise this way

Any spots of moles with any of these features should be checked by a trained, experienced doctor.

 

A skin check with our doctors usually takes between 15 to 30 minutes and includes:

  • Medical history about your skin as well as your general health.
  • Further questions about any specific skin concerns you have.
  • Full skin examination with you undressed down to your underwear.
  • Examination of spots with a special magnifying lens called a dermatoscope.
  • Photograph of moles or spots that needs monitoring.
  • Testing of suspicious spots or moles with biopsy (shave biopsy or punch biopsy) under local anaesthetic and specimen sent to pathology for testing.

Following up on your skin check:

Pathology results are usually available within one week.

Most lesions that require excision or other treatment can be managed at the clinic at a follow-up appointment.

Complex cases may require referral for specialist treatment (dermatologist, plastic surgeon or specialist hospital).

Skin checks are usually advised every 1-2 years or more often in some cases, depending on the condition of your skin and your risk for developing skin cancer.