SPOT CHECK

Skin Cancer Spot Check Canberra

If you have noticed one particular mole, spot or skin lesion that has changed or is worrying you, you may not want to wait for a routine full skin check.

At Skin Cancer Canberra Clinic, a Spot Check is designed for patients who have a specific area of concern and want it assessed promptly by a doctor.

You may have noticed that a mole has changed colour, shape or size. A spot may have started bleeding, itching, crusting or simply looks different from the others around it.

Sometimes it is difficult to explain exactly what has changed. You may simply have the feeling that something does not look right.

That is a valid reason to have it checked.

A Spot Check allows your doctor to concentrate on the particular mole or lesion that is concerning you, examine it closely using dermoscopy and determine whether it requires monitoring, biopsy, removal or further investigation.

What Is a Spot Check?

A Spot Check is a focused skin cancer examination of a particular mole, lesion or area of concern.

It is ideal for patients who are not necessarily looking for a full head-to-toe skin examination, but have identified one or a small number of spots that they would like assessed.

For example, you may have:

• Noticed a new mole
• Seen an existing mole change
• Found a spot that has become darker
• Noticed a lesion increasing in size
• Seen a change in shape or border
• Developed a spot that bleeds
• Noticed crusting or ulceration
• Developed persistent itching or irritation
• Found a sore that does not appear to heal
• Noticed a spot that looks different from your other moles
• Become concerned about a lesion after comparing it with older photographs
• Been told by a partner, friend or family member that a mole looks different

A Spot Check is also suitable if you are simply very concerned about a particular lesion and would like reassurance or further investigation.

You do not need to decide whether a mole looks “serious enough” before making an appointment.

If it concerns you, it is reasonable to have it assessed.

Have You Noticed a Change in a Mole?

One of the most important things you can do is become familiar with your own skin.

Many patients who attend for a mole check in Canberra do so because they have noticed that something has changed.

When looking at a mole or pigmented lesion, the ABCDE guide can be useful.

A is for Asymmetry

Look at the overall shape of the mole.

Does one half appear different from the other?

A mole that has become noticeably asymmetrical may require assessment.

B is for Border

Look at the edges of the lesion.

Has the border become:

• Irregular
• Uneven
• Notched
• Blurred
• Poorly defined

Changes to the border of a mole are worth discussing with your doctor.

C is for Colour

Has the colour changed?

A lesion may develop:

• Different shades of brown
• Black areas
• Red areas
• Blue or grey tones
• Uneven pigmentation
• Several colours within the same lesion

Any noticeable change in colour should be assessed in conjunction with the other features of the lesion.

D is for Diameter

Has the mole increased in size?

Although size can be one feature doctors consider, a small lesion can still require assessment.

The important question is often whether the spot is changing or growing, rather than relying on size alone.

E is for Evolving

Evolving means changing over time.

This may include changes in:

• Size
• Shape
• Colour
• Height
• Texture
• Sensation
• Appearance

A changing lesion should not be ignored.

The ABCDE guide can be helpful, but not every skin cancer follows the ABCDE pattern.

If you notice something new, unusual or changing, even if it does not fit these characteristics, it is still worth having it examined.

Other Changes You Should Have Checked

Not every concerning skin lesion is a mole.

You may also want to arrange a skin cancer spot check if you notice:

• A sore that does not heal
• A lesion that repeatedly bleeds
• A spot that forms a scab and then returns
• A persistent dry or scaly patch
• A pink or red lesion that continues to grow
• A shiny or pearly-looking lump
• A thickened or crusted area
• A tender lesion
• A spot that has become itchy
• A lesion that looks different from everything else around it

Skin cancers can have many different appearances.

You do not need to diagnose the lesion yourself before making an appointment.

What Happens During a Spot Check?

At your appointment, your doctor will first ask you about the lesion that is concerning you.

It can be helpful to tell the doctor:

• When you first noticed it
• Whether it is new
• How long it has been present
• What you think has changed
• Whether it has increased in size
• Whether the colour has changed
• Whether it has bled
• Whether it is itchy, tender or painful
• Whether it has crusted or failed to heal
• Whether you have photographs showing how it looked previously

Your doctor will then carefully examine the area.

Dermoscopic Examination

The lesion will generally be examined using a dermatoscope.

A dermatoscope is a specialised medical instrument that provides magnification and illumination of the skin.

It allows the doctor to examine structures and patterns within the lesion that cannot always be seen clearly with the naked eye.

Dermoscopy is an important part of assessing suspicious moles and skin lesions.

Your doctor will consider the dermoscopic appearance together with the history of the lesion and any changes you have noticed.

DermEngine Imaging

Where clinically appropriate, the lesion may also be photographed and documented using DermEngine.

DermEngine is a digital skin imaging and documentation system that allows relevant lesions to be recorded and reviewed.

This can be particularly useful if the doctor believes that a lesion should be monitored or if photographic documentation would assist with future comparison.

DermEngine is used to support clinical assessment.

It does not replace the doctor’s examination or clinical judgement.

What Happens If the Mole Looks Suspicious?

A suspicious mole or lesion does not automatically mean that you have skin cancer.

Many lesions that concern patients ultimately prove to be benign.

However, if your doctor identifies features that require further investigation, they will explain what they have found and what they recommend.

Depending on the lesion, the next step may include:

• Monitoring
• Clinical photography
• DermEngine documentation
• Biopsy
• Complete excision
• Further treatment
• Referral for additional specialist assessment where appropriate

The aim is to give you a clear plan rather than leaving you wondering what happens next.

Same-Day Biopsy

If your doctor believes a biopsy is required, it may be possible to perform the biopsy during the same appointment, where clinically appropriate and where appointment time permits.

This can be particularly helpful for patients who have attended because they are extremely concerned about a particular lesion.

A biopsy involves taking a sample of tissue, or removing a lesion where appropriate, so it can be sent to a pathology laboratory for examination.

Before anything is performed, your doctor will explain:

• Why a biopsy is recommended
• What type of procedure is required
• What the procedure involves
• The expected healing process
• Any additional fees
• Medicare rebates where applicable
• How and when the pathology result will be followed up

No biopsy or procedure will be performed without discussing it with you first.

Should I Book a Spot Check or a Full Skin Check?

This is one of the most common questions patients ask.

A Spot Check May Be Suitable If:

You have one particular mole or lesion that is worrying you and you want that area assessed.

For example:

“I have one mole on my back that has changed.”

“I noticed a new dark spot on my leg.”

“This mole has started bleeding.”

“This spot has become bigger over the last few months.”

“My partner noticed something on my back and told me to have it checked.”

“I have one lesion that I am extremely worried about and I want someone to look at it as soon as possible.”

In these situations, a Spot Check may be appropriate.

A Full Skin Check May Be More Appropriate If:

You want your entire skin examined from head to toe.

A comprehensive skin check may be more appropriate if:

• You have multiple moles you are concerned about
• You have many moles
• You have significant sun damage
• You have a previous history of skin cancer
• You have a strong family history of melanoma
• You have not had your skin professionally examined for some time
• You are concerned about several different areas
• You want a preventative head-to-toe examination rather than assessment of one particular lesion

If you are unsure which appointment you require, our team can help you choose the most appropriate appointment when you contact the clinic.

How to Prepare for a Spot Check

Preparation depends on where the lesion is located.

The most important thing is that your doctor can clearly see and examine the area.

If the Lesion Is on Your Face or Neck

Please attend without makeup covering the area.

This includes:

• Foundation
• Concealer
• Tinted moisturiser
• Bronzer
• Blush
• Eyeliner where the lesion is near the eye
• Mascara where examination around the eye is required

Makeup can conceal subtle colour and surface characteristics and can interfere with clear examination under the dermatoscope.

If the Lesion Is on Your Body

Please avoid fake tan or tanning products over the area being examined.

This includes:

• Spray tan
• Self-tan
• Gradual tanning moisturiser
• Bronzing products
• Tinted body products

Artificial colour can alter the appearance of the skin and may make dermoscopic assessment more difficult.

Moisturiser and Sunscreen

Normal moisturiser and sunscreen are generally fine.

Where possible, please use products that are non-tinted so the natural appearance of the skin remains visible.

Bring Previous Photos If You Have Them

If you have photographs showing the mole or lesion before it changed, bring them with you or have them available on your phone.

Even an ordinary photograph taken several months or years earlier may help demonstrate how a lesion has changed.

You do not need professional medical photographs.

Sometimes a holiday photo, family photo or photograph taken on your phone can provide useful comparison.

Do Not Ignore a Lesion Because It Does Not Hurt

Skin cancers do not necessarily cause pain.

A concerning lesion may be completely painless.

Do not assume that a spot is harmless simply because:

• It does not hurt
• It does not itch
• It is small
• It has been there for a long time
• It has previously been called benign
• It is in an area that does not receive much sun

If a lesion changes or begins to behave differently, have it reassessed.

Do Not Wait for Your Next Routine Skin Check

If you notice a mole or lesion changing between your regular skin checks, you do not necessarily need to wait until your next scheduled full skin examination.

A Spot Check gives you the option of having that particular area assessed sooner.

This is particularly useful when you have noticed a definite change or are becoming increasingly worried about one particular spot.

Concerned About a Mole in Canberra?

If you are looking for a mole check in Canberra because you have noticed a new or changing lesion, a Spot Check at Skin Cancer Canberra Clinic may be the appropriate appointment for you.

Our doctors can assess the lesion using dermoscopy, document it with DermEngine where appropriate and discuss whether the area requires monitoring, biopsy or treatment.

If a biopsy is clinically required, it may be possible to perform this during the same appointment.

Book a Spot Check in Canberra

If one particular mole, spot or lesion is worrying you, you do not need to wait until your next routine skin check to have it examined.

Book a Spot Check at Skin Cancer Canberra Clinic for focused assessment of the area that concerns you.