Every year in Australia, around 1,200 people die from skin cancer and melanomas. Whether you have a few spots or many, a routine skin check could be the difference between a good or bad outcome. 95% of skin cancers are treatable if they are detected early.
If you answer YES to any of the concerns below, we recommend you make an appointment to have your skin checked.
I have:
- Moles or spots that concern me
- Over 100 moles
- Previous history of skin cancer
- Used a solarium in the past
- Fair skin or skin that burns easily
- A family history of melanoma or other skin cancers
- A birthdate that says I am over the age of 40
- We also recommend skin checks if your existing moles change colour, size, shape or itch or bleed.
Skin Checks
Our skin check doctor has post-graduate qualifications in skin cancer medicine including a Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Surgery. We offer full skin checks using a dermatoscope.
It is vitally important that you get your skin checked regularly so any abnormalities are caught early.
Skin Cancer Surgery
We offer a range of treatment options for skin cancer, including:
- surgical excision
- curettage and electrodesiccation
- cryotherapy
- topical treatments with gels and creams.
PDT (photodynamic therapy)
PDT (photodynamic therapy) is a special light-based treatment for some skin cancers. There is good evidence for its efficacy to treat some conditions including sun damage (solar keratoses) and some shallow skin cancers (IECs and superficial BCCs).
Usually, one or two PDT treatments are required, depending on the individual case. The treatment involves having a cream applied to your skin, before being activated by a bright light. The activated agent selectively kills the skin cancer cells and leaves the normal cells unaffected. PDT not only removes the problem cells but can also produce very good cosmetic improvements for the skin.
