Why you should have your skin checked
At East Toowoomba Skin Cancer Clinic we are dedicated to the early detection and treatment of skin cancers. Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Melanoma, or cancer of pigment cells is the most lethal of the skin cancers we see regularly.
Although it is the most well publicised skin cancer, it is not as common as Basal Cell Cancers, or Squamous Cell Cancers. All these cancers can be lethal, and all are treated more easily and successfully when detected early in their development.
The best method of early detection is to have a comprehensive skin examination on a regular basis. Usually this is recommended every year, but advice will vary depending on your skin type, family history, and personal history. The age of first skin check is also variable, but certainly any Caucasian over the age of 30 years would be advised to have a check. Those people with lots of moles, fair skin, excessive sun exposure, or strong family history of skin cancer should start regular skin checks earlier.
A comprehensive skin examination takes about 20 to 40 minutes depending on your skin. It involves the doctor using a variety of magnification devices to be able to see your skin in more detail and under different lighting conditions. Treatment for some lesions may be done on the day.
It is recommended that you have a comprehensive skin examination rather than just getting the doctor to examine the spots you are concerned about. About 80% of the cancers detected in this clinic are lesions the person did not know they had. Of all the spots people are concerned about, only about 20% turn out to be cancers. Despite this, it is important that you have any new or concerning spot looked at as soon as you become aware of it, however we recommend you have a comprehensive skin check at least every year.
At the time of your skin check please ensure you are freshly showered, and have removed any make-up, tinted moisturiser or sunscreen, and bulky jewellery.
Skin Check Types
Comprehensive Skin Check
A Comprehensive Skin Check is an examination which covers your skin head to toes. It is recommended that you have a comprehensive skin examination rather than just getting the doctor to examine the spots you are concerned about. About 80% of the cancers detected in this clinic are lesions the person did not know they had. Skin cancers are best treated as early as possible and having a regular Comprehensive Skin check is the best way to find them.
Despite this, it is important that you have any new or concerning spot looked at as soon as you become aware of it, however we recommend you have a comprehensive skin check at least every year. If you do have a concerning spot develop, please contact the clinic, and we will do our best to fit you in for a “single lesion check” as soon as possible.
At the time of your Comprehensive Skin Check you will be asked to remove your clothing but leave your underwear. Modesty sheets are provided so there is no need for you to be sitting there in only your underwear if you feel uncomfortable doing that!
The examination starts with you sitting on the side of the examination couch, and the doctor looking at your scalp. Just this part of the examination takes at least two to five minutes, depending on how much hair you have, and how much sun damage is present. He will then follow a systematic approach to ensure every part of your skin is examined thoroughly.
A Comprehensive Skin Check usually takes somewhere between 20 and 45 minutes, depending you your skin type, the amount of sun damage, your type and number of moles, and whether treatment needs to be conducted while the examination is done. The most usual treatment to be done in this way is treatment of early skin damage with liquid nitrogen therapy.
There are a number of other treatments that may be done at the time of your Comprehensive Skin Check, but these are either done at the end of the check, or at a separate appointment. The doctor will talk to you about what needs to be done as the examination progresses.
Total Body Photography
Total Body Photography is a technique which uses photography to provide a baseline of what lesions you have on your skin. Reference to this baseline set of photographs allows early detection of lesions which may be cancers even before they look like cancers. Repeat photography may be necessary depending on your age, skin changes, and other factors.
We use high quality photographic equipment to do a sequence of studio quality photographs to image all of your skin. The photo shoot is conducted by one of our highly trained nursing staff, who will work with you to obtain the photographs while still retaining your modesty!
With the knowledge of what sorts of lesions should grow at various ages, and at what rate, we can identify potential cancers before they look like cancers. This is particularly useful for melanoma.
All photographs are kept on a secure hard drive, with advanced firewall protection. They are only accessed when you attend for your next skin check.
Total Body Photography is useful across the age span, but particularly useful for those people with many moles at any age, and for anyone after the age of 40 years. Approximately five percent of melanomas are detected by the use of Total Body Photography.
Mole Max II Imaging
MoleMax II is a computer system which uses a skin microscope with polarising filters to obtain magnified images of specific lesions. The software programme allows for location of these images on an avatar.
The specifics of the recording allow for direct comparison of the magnified image of the skin lesion so that short-term follow-up (usually at 3 monthly intervals) can be performed. This has been shown to be of great use in early detection of some melanomas. In comparison to Total Body Photography, MoleMax ll is more useful for follow-up of specific lesions which have been identified either during the skin check, or by patients.
MoleMaX ll is also a great tool in allowing patients see what skin lesions look like with the magnification used by the skin cancer doctor when your skin check is being performed.
