Skin Cancer Check
Sunspots and sun damaged skin can be treated early to prevent skin cancers.
There are three major types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.
Most often skin cancers develop on skin exposed to the sun, and can also occur on areas of your skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight. By limiting or avoiding exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays you can reduce your risk of skin cancer. Early detection with regular skin cancer checks gives you the greatest chance for highly successful skin cancer treatment.
Of the three main types of skin cancer, melanoma is the most aggressive and accounts for approximately 75% of all skin cancer related deaths. The early phase of malignant melanoma can be particularly difficult to identify since malignant melanomas of the skin can share many clinical features with atypical birthmarks, moles, or other benign skin lesions. All lesions excised by your treating Doctor are sent to a skilled pathologist for evaluation with examination of the lesion under a microscope for diagnosis.
Once a diagnosis has been reached, whether by histopathology or by your Doctor, treatment options are discussed with the patient and risks and benefits of each option clearly outlined. All initial skin check consultations are rebateable with Medicare.
The servicing Doctors at Shakespeare Medical Centre implement a best practice policy and uses the latest techniques and modalities to bring about the optimum health and cosmetic outcome for our patients in the Mackay area.
Mole Checks
Mole Photography/Mapping
In order to improve the accuracy of diagnosis of malignancies in pigmented skin lesions and therefore improve health outcomes, the Doctors at Shakespeare Medical utilise the state-of-the-art skin surveillance system, Heine Cube (skin surface microscope). Dermoscopy is a non-invasive technique that examines tissue layers beneath the skin surface with microscopy. Magnification of microscopic mole features assists melanoma diagnosis, and precise clinical photographic mapping accurately identifies each mole and enables the detection of microscopic changes in these moles and the identification of new moles over time. Serial objective microscopic mole analysis promotes the early detection of melanoma and digital dermoscopy reduces the number of precautionary excisions.
See Skin Cancer Check above for more information on Skin Cancers and Treatments performed to remove lesions.
A medical skin consultation with one of the treating doctors in Mackay is required before having a mole check with Mole Mapping/Photography at Shakespeare Medical. This consultation is partially claimable through Medicare.
FAQs
What are the benefits of having a skin check?
Regular skin checks are important for identifying any developing skin cancers. If skin cancers are caught early enough they can be treated effectively with a minor excision, freezing or various other methods depending on the type of skin cancer.
Left too late and skin cancers can be potentially fatal. In Queensland more than 3,600 people are diagnosed with melanoma each year. This most serious form of skin cancer can be easily prevented with regular skin checks by your doctor. The servicing practitioners at Shakespeare Medical Centre come with a wealth of knowledge in skin cancer checks, with extensive formal training and many years of experience.
What is a mole check?
A mole check is a type of check-up that can detect changes, growths or abnormal colouration of moles on the skin. Moles are often small, but they can grow to be larger than one centimetre in diameter. They are most often brownish-black in colour, but sometimes they are pink or flesh coloured.
Almost everybody has a mole or two, but some people—especially fair-skinned folk—tend to have many more. You’ll commonly find moles on the arm, back of the neck, face, and lower legs. It’s important to have moles checked for changes in size or colour. Medical professionals achieve this by looking closely at moles or taking photos of them to monitor changes over time.
Most moles are benign, but if you notice a new mole, or if an existing mole has changed in any way, see a dermatologist as soon as possible to rule out melanoma—a type of skin cancer that can spread if not caught early enough.
What is mole mapping?
Mole mapping is a technique in modern medicine that uses high-resolution photographs of skin to identify and chart moles. It’s a modern and highly effective way to identify microscopic changes in moles and identify new ones as they appear, improving health outcomes for patients.
Mole mapping is common primarily in the area of dermatology, but other areas such as gynaecology have also begun employing the technique.
How often do you need to have a skin check?
In order to prevent skin cancer from developing, it is recommended to have a skin check every four to six months. More frequent checks may be beneficial if you have previously been diagnosed with a skin condition, have a family history of skin conditions or cancer, or if you have especially fair skin.
How much does a skin check cost?
The Doctors at Shakespeare Medical Centre offer skin checks for $220 with a rebate of $41.20 eligible for Medicare card holders.
For more information on our services