Skin Cancer Checks
Brisbane Skin Cancer Clinic
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. In fact, 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70.
Skin cancer checks are crucial for people living in the sunshine state. The Brisbane medical clinic which offers independent medical specialists in skin cancer care who can provide a range of skin cancer services for all your family, including skin cancer checks, risk assessments, testing and treatments.
The services offered
Biopsy
If you have a suspicious or unusual mole or growth, the doctors can perform a biopsy to help ascertain a correct diagnosis of the growth, mark or lump on your skin.
The biopsy procedure is performed in the Brisbane doctors clinic and generally requires no preparation on your part.
Early detection
Skin cancer is the cancer you can see. That’s why skin exams, both at home and performed by a doctor, are vital. Especially in the Brisbane & Queensland climate.
Skin cancer checks
A skin cancer check is an assessment of your skin cancer risk including any current or future skin concerns.
A skin cancer check appointment will include taking your medical history, including previous sun UV exposure, as well as undertaking a detailed examination of your skin.
Skin check doctors
The doctors who work from The Carina Medical & Specialist Centre provide high quality and personalised skin cancer services including skin cancer checks, early detection, prevention and management of skin cancers. They are located in Carina and service the South Brisbane suburbs and surrounding greater Brisbane area.
Your skin cancer doctor will assess your skin for suspicious lesions with the use of a dermascope which enables the doctor to check your suspicious moles at a microscopic level. At this level your doctor can see the images with high resolution details that may not be obvious with a naked eye and the pictures can be photographed and saved for future monitoring and comparison.
Are you at risk from skin cancer?
Anyone can get skin cancer, and while people with certain characteristics are at greater risk than others, anyone living in Queensland should maintain regular skin checks.
The primary risk factor for skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, including sunlight and tanning beds, with the risk increasing inline with the amount of exposure.
People who live in areas with bright, year-round sunlight, or those who spend a lot of time outdoors exposed to the sunlight have a high risk of developing skin cancers. Early exposure, particularly for people who had frequent sunburns as a child, also increases the risk of skin cancer.
Reducing factors under your control may help lower your risk of skin cancer, including melanoma. Regular skin examinations can help to identify a developing skin cancer early, when it is most treatable.
Certain characteristics that can lead to a higher risk of skin cancer include:
- A lighter natural skin colour
- Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily, or becomes painful in the sun
- Skin with certain types and a large number of moles
- A family or personal history of skin cancer
- A compromised immune system or are on immunosuppression medication
- Spent lots of time outdoors unprotected or work outdoors
- Suntanned, use or have used solariums and/or sunlamps
Mole removal Brisbane doctors
If a mole is considered to be suspicious or in potential for developing skin cancer, your doctor may recommend having it removed with simple in-house surgical procedures. You will need to watch the area, as sometimes a mole can grow back.
How to check your own skin for skin cancer
In between skin checks by your doctor you can also detect skin cancer early by following dermatologists’ tips for checking your skin.
If you notice a spot or mole that is different from others, or that changes colour, grows in size, itches or bleeds, you should make an appointment to see your doctor immediately.
Tips to perform a skin self-exam:
- Examine your body in a full-length mirror, starting with the front and back in the mirror, then look at the right and left sides with your arms raised.
- Look at your underarms, forearms, and palms. Bend your elbows and look carefully at your forearms, underarms, and palms.
- Look at your legs, between your toes, and the soles of your feet. These are places that you wouldn’t suspect skin cancer to develop however it often does.
- Use a hand mirror to check hard to see places such as your back, buttocks and the back of your neck and scalp.
Skin Checks For Pre-Employment Medical Assessment
The highly qualified and experienced medical practitioners conduct a full body skin cancer check. It takes about 10 – 15 minutes and has minimal disruption to the working day while addressing a key health risk for Australian employees.
Skin Cancer Screenings are one of the most requested health services by employees and are cost effective for the employer. The focus of the Doctors is on early detection and education so that their patients understand the importance of taking sun safe measures.
For a more comprehensive assessment, the Skin Cancer Screening can be merged with the Pre-Employment Medical Assessment and the Drug and Alcohol Testing.
Skin Checks FAQs
To see a doctor for a skin check in Australia you simply need to book an appointment with a doctor who performs skin checks. Let the receptionist know when you are booking that it is for a skin check, as these appointments might need longer than the standard booking time.
Some GPs offer fully bulk-billed skin checks for Medicare card holders which won't cost you anything. When making your booking, be sure to ask about the fees and what is covered by Medicare for the specific clinic.
Within the clinic, the GPs, skin cancer clinics and dermatologists will charge a fee to perform a skin check.
Skin checks in Australia cost anywhere from $0 (fully bulk-billed skin checks for Medicare card holders) to over $100. This will depend on where your skin check is performed. Make sure to ask about the fees and what is covered by Medicare when making your skin check booking.
It’s never too early to start getting full body skin checks. The Doctors recommend anyone from 15 years old should start having regular skin checks. Talk to your doctor to see when you should start getting your skin checked, as it can also depend if your skin has characteristics that lend itself to a higher risk of skin cancer.
It depends on the type of melanoma. Some melanomas grow rapidly over a matter of weeks, while others can slowly grow over the span of a decade. A melanoma can also grow for many years before producing any significant symptoms common to skin cancers. This is why it is important to have regular skin checks with your doctor to log your skin changes.
Reducing the factors under your control can help to lower your risk of developing skin cancer, including melanoma. Always cover your skin to protect it from UV exposure, wear hats when outside and regularly apply sunscreen throughout the day. Regular skin checks, both self performed and by a doctor, can help identify a developing skin cancer early, when it is most treatable.