What Is a Skin Check?
A skin check is a systematic examination of your skin to identify suspicious or changing lesions that may require further assessment, monitoring or treatment.
During your skin check, the doctor looks for signs of common skin cancers and precancerous skin changes, including:
- Melanoma
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
- Actinic keratoses
- Other suspicious or sun-damaged skin lesions
Some skin cancers can initially look like an ordinary mole, freckle or sunspot. Careful examination and dermoscopy can help doctors assess lesions in greater detail.
How We Perform Skin Checks at Auspoint
Your appointment begins with a discussion about your skin and relevant risk factors, including previous skin cancers, family history, sun exposure and any particular spots or moles that concern you.
The doctor then performs a systematic examination of your skin.
At Auspoint, we have access to several methods of skin assessment:
Hand-Held Dermoscopy
A hand-held dermatoscope provides magnification and specialised illumination, allowing the doctor to examine colours, structures and patterns within a mole or skin lesion that may not be clearly visible to the naked eye.
Computerised Dermoscopy
For selected lesions, computerised dermoscopy can be used to magnify, analyse and record detailed digital Dermoscopic images. These images may be stored and compared at future appointments when ongoing monitoring is appropriate.
Total Body Mapping
For selected patients, particularly those with multiple moles or other relevant risk factors, total body mapping can create a photographic baseline of the skin. This can assist with identifying new or changing lesions during future skin check.
Who Should Consider a Skin Check?
You may benefit from a professional skin cancer check if you:
- Have noticed a new or changing mole
- Have a spot that looks different from your other spots
- Have a lesion that bleeds, crusts, itches or does not heal
- Have multiple or unusual-looking moles
- Have fair skin or significant sun damage
- Have experienced repeated sunburn
- Spend or have spent significant time outdoors
- Have a personal or family history of melanoma or skin cancer
- Have previously had suspicious or atypical moles
- Are concerned about any particular skin lesion
You do not need to wait until a spot becomes painful or obviously abnormal before having it checked.
Why Are Regular Skin Checks Important in Perth?
People living in Western Australia can experience substantial ultraviolet (UV) exposure throughout their lifetime.
Skin cancer can develop on areas that receive frequent sun exposure as well as less obvious parts of the body. Some suspicious lesions may also be difficult to distinguish from harmless moles or sunspots without closer examination.
Professional skin checks can help identify lesions that may require monitoring, biopsy or treatment. Early detection is particularly important for melanoma.
What Happens If a Suspicious Spot Is Found during Skin Check?
Finding a suspicious lesion does not necessarily mean that it is skin cancer.
Depending on the examination and dermoscopic findings, your doctor may recommend:
- Monitoring the lesion
- Computerised dermoscopic imaging
- Follow-up photography
- Biopsy
- Surgical removal or other appropriate treatment
- Referral to a dermatologist, plastic surgeon or other specialist when required
Your doctor will discuss the findings and recommended next steps with you.
FAQs
Do I need a referral for a skin check?
No. You do not need a referral to book a skin check at Auspoint Skin Cancer & Health Clinic. You can contact the clinic directly to arrange your appointment.
How often should I have a skin check?
There is no single interval suitable for everyone. How often you should have your skin checked depends on factors such as your age, skin type, sun exposure, number of moles, family history and any previous history of skin cancer.
Your doctor can recommend an appropriate follow-up schedule skin check based on your individual risk.
What is dermoscopy?
Dermoscopy is a non-invasive examination technique that uses magnification and specialised lighting to allow doctors to assess structures and patterns within skin lesions in greater detail, The Dermoscopy used in Auspoint has built in soft ware to analyse skin lesions and provide skin cancer risk appraisal.
Do I need total body mapping?
Not everyone requires total body mapping. It may be useful for selected patients, including people with multiple moles or other risk factors. Your doctor can advise whether it is appropriate for you.
What if I notice a changing mole?
If you notice a new or changing mole, or a lesion that is bleeding, itchy, painful or not healing, arrange a skin check promptly rather than waiting for your next routine skin check.
Book a Skin Check in Perth – No Referral Required
If you are looking for a skin check in Perth, Auspoint Skin Cancer & Health Clinic provides comprehensive skin assessment in Como, Perth WA, with access to hand-held dermoscopy, computerised dermoscopy and total body mapping when appropriate.
No referral is required.
Contact Auspoint Skin Cancer & Health Clinic or online to book your skin check.