SKIN CANCER CHECK
Our full skin checks are designed to be detailed and systematic. Our skin cancer doctor will examine your skin from the scalp and head through to the feet, using a dermatoscope where appropriate to assess individual moles and lesions more closely.
If a suspicious or concerning lesion is identified, it can be documented through DermEngine for further assessment and monitoring. If your doctor believes a biopsy is required, this may be able to be performed during the same appointment.
Our focus is on careful examination, early detection, clear communication and making sure you understand what has been found and what happens next.
What Happens During a Full Skin Check?
A comprehensive skin check involves more than simply looking at a few visible moles.
Our skin Cancer doctor will perform a systematic examination of your skin from head to toe, including areas that can sometimes be difficult to see yourself.
This may include examination of your:
- Scalp and hairline
- Face
- Ears
- Neck
- Chest
- Abdomen
- Back
- Arms
- Hands and fingers
- Legs
- Feet
- Soles of the feet
- Areas between the toes
- Other areas where clinically appropriate
For a full skin check, you will generally be asked to undress to your underwear so your doctor can properly examine the skin.
If you have a particular mole, spot or lesion that concerns you, please let our skin cancer doctor know at the beginning of the appointment. Even during a comprehensive examination, it is important to point out anything you have personally noticed changing.
Dermoscopy
During your skin check, our doctor uses a dermatoscope to examine individual moles and lesions in greater detail.
A dermatoscope is a specialised medical instrument that provides magnification and illumination of the skin. It allows the doctor to see structures and patterns within a lesion that may not be clearly visible to the naked eye.
Dermoscopy is an important part of assessing:
- Moles
- Pigmented lesions
- New or changing spots
- Suspicious skin lesions
- Areas of sun damage
- Lesions that look different from surrounding spots
The findings from the dermoscopic examination are considered together with the appearance of the lesion, your history and your individual skin cancer risk.
DermEngine Imaging
At Skin Cancer Canberra Clinic, suspicious or clinically significant lesions may be photographed and recorded using DermEngine.
DermEngine is a digital skin imaging and documentation platform that allows relevant lesions to be photographed and reviewed in greater detail.
Where appropriate, our doctor may use DermEngine to assist with documenting and monitoring lesions over time.
Technology can provide useful additional information, but it does not replace the doctor’s clinical assessment. Our skin cancer doctor remains responsible for assessing the lesion and deciding whether monitoring, biopsy, removal or another form of investigation is appropriate.
What Happens If Something Suspicious Is Found?
Finding a suspicious lesion does not automatically mean that it is skin cancer.
If your doctor identifies a mole, spot or lesion that requires further investigation, they will explain their findings and discuss the recommended next step with you.
Depending on the lesion, this may include:
- Further dermoscopic examination
- Clinical photography
- Monitoring over time
- Biopsy
- Complete removal of the lesion
- Further treatment if required
- Referral for additional specialist assessment where appropriate
Same-Day Biopsy
If our skin cancer doctor believes a lesion requires a biopsy, it may be possible to perform the biopsy during the same appointment. This means you may not need to return for a separate procedure before the lesion can be sent to pathology.
A biopsy involves taking a sample of the suspicious tissue so that it can be examined by a pathology laboratory.
Our skin cancer doctor will explain:
- Why the biopsy is recommended
- What type of biopsy is required
- What the procedure involves
- Any additional fees
- Expected Medicare rebates where applicable
- What happens after the pathology result is received
No procedure will be performed without discussing it with you first.
How to Prepare for Your Skin Check
Preparing correctly for your appointment helps your doctor obtain the clearest possible view of your skin.
Wear Comfortable Clothing
Please wear comfortable clothing that is easy to remove and put back on.
For a comprehensive skin check, you will generally be asked to undress to your underwear so your doctor can examine the skin properly.
Simple, comfortable clothing can make the appointment easier and more efficient.
No Spray Tan or Fake Tan
Please do not attend your skin check wearing:
- Spray tan
- Fake tan
- Self-tanning products
- Gradual tanning moisturiser
- Bronzing products on the body
Artificial tanning products can change the colour and appearance of the skin.
This may make it more difficult for our skin cancer doctor to accurately assess pigmentation, colour variation and other features within a mole or lesion.
For the best possible examination, we recommend allowing fake tan to completely fade before your skin check.
Please Do Not Wear Makeup
Please attend your appointment without makeup on your:
- Face
- Neck
- Hairline
This includes:
- Foundation
- Concealer
- Tinted moisturiser
- Bronzer
- Blush
- Eye shadow
- Eyeliner
- Mascara
Makeup can cover subtle changes in colour, pigmentation and skin structure.
It can also make it more difficult for your doctor to obtain a clear view of a lesion when examining it with a dermatoscope.
If you arrive wearing makeup, you may be asked to remove it before your skin is examined.
Moisturiser and Sunscreen
You can apply your normal moisturiser or sunscreen before attending your appointment.
However, we recommend using products that are clear and non-tinted.
Please avoid:
- Tinted sunscreen
- Tinted moisturiser
- Bronzing sunscreen
- Products containing artificial colour or tanning pigment
The aim is to keep your natural skin colour and pigmentation as visible as possible during the examination.
What Should I Tell the Doctor?
If you have noticed a particular mole, spot or skin lesion changing, please tell your doctor.
Important changes can include:
- A new mole or spot
- A lesion increasing in size
- A change in shape
- A change in colour
- Several colours appearing within one lesion
- An irregular border
- Bleeding
- Crusting
- Itching
- Tenderness
- Pain
- A sore that does not heal
- A lesion that repeatedly heals and returns
- Anything that simply looks different from your other moles
You know your skin better than anyone.
If something has changed or feels unusual to you, mention it during your appointment.
Skin Cancer Prevention
Your appointment is also an opportunity to discuss skin cancer prevention and early detection.
Your doctor can provide guidance based on your individual skin type, sun exposure and personal risk factors.
This may include advice about:
- How to check your own skin
- What changes to watch for
- How often you should have a professional skin check
- Sunscreen use
- Protective clothing
- Wearing a broad-brimmed hat
- Seeking shade
- Reducing unnecessary UV exposure
- Protecting your skin during outdoor activities
- Monitoring particular moles or lesions
Skin cancer prevention is not about avoiding the outdoors. It is about understanding UV exposure and protecting your skin appropriately.
How Often Should I Have a Skin Check?
There is no single skin check schedule that is right for everybody.
How often you should have your skin examined may depend on factors including:
- Your age
- Your skin type
- Your level of sun exposure
- Your occupation
- Your recreational activities
- The number of moles you have
- Your personal history of skin cancer
- Your family history of melanoma or skin cancer
- Previous severe sunburn
- Whether you have lesions that require monitoring
Our skin cancer doctor can advise you on an appropriate skin check schedule based on your individual level of risk.
Some patients may only require periodic checks, while higher-risk patients may benefit from more regular review and monitoring.
Why Choose Skin Cancer Canberra Clinic?
At Skin Cancer Canberra Clinic, our focus is on providing thorough, careful and patient-centred skin cancer assessment.
When you book a full skin check with us, you can expect:
- A comprehensive head-to-toe skin examination
- Dermoscopic assessment of relevant moles and lesions
- DermEngine imaging where clinically appropriate
- Clear explanations of any concerning findings
- Same-day biopsy where appropriate and time permits
- Pathology and follow-up planning when required
- Advice on skin cancer prevention
- Guidance on how often you should have your skin checked
- A clear plan if something requires further treatment
We believe patients should understand what has been found, why further investigation may be recommended and what their options are.
How much is full comprehensive skin check ?
Please refer to our Fees page https://skincancercanberra.com.au/our-fees/ for skin cancer checks fees in Canberra
Book a Skin Check in Canberra
If you have noticed a new or changing mole, have significant sun exposure, have a personal or family history of skin cancer, or simply want your skin professionally examined, you can book a comprehensive skin check in Canberra with our clinic.
You do not need to wait until something looks obviously concerning.
Regular skin awareness and professional assessment can play an important role in detecting suspicious lesions earlier.
