Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers. This is particularly true in Australia due to our hot climate and sun-loving lifestyles. Generally, direct sunlight and sunburns are the primary cause of developing melanoma. Other factors can increase the risk of developing cancerous spots, such as:

• The regular use of sunbeds
• Genetic predisposition to cancer
• A large number of moles or freckles
• Having light or fair skin
• Burning easily under the sun
• Suffering sunburns
• Spending a lot of time in the sun

Although cancer can be caused by biological factors, environmental factors play a large role. Everyone should take care to protect their skin from harmful sun rays to reduce their risk of skin cancer. Sun protection is especially important for people with fair skin and a history of cancer in the family.

A regular mole check is not just important for people who are worried about strange-looking moles. Due to the nature of cancerous cells, malign skin spots are not always visible to the human eye. Additionally, most skin cancers are treatable if they are caught early. Having a regular mole check is the only way to ensure early detection. Therefore, a regular skin cancer check is an important part of your yearly healthcare routine. Routine skin checks are especially crucial for individuals who have:

• Many moles (more than 50 – 100)
• Moles that are large, unusual in colour, or oddly shaped
• A previous or family history of melanoma and skin cancer
• Fair skin

Whether you are concerned about a certain skin spot or simply want to ensure your skin is healthy, a full-body skin cancer check is always a good idea. Every adult should seek a skin cancer check every once in a while to ensure their moles and spots are benign.

ODE Dermatology offers advanced skin mapping and mole tracking. Dr Shyamalar Gunatheesan, a leading Australian expert in skin cancer management, will perform your mole check. During your skin cancer check, your skin will be surveyed for any spots that have taken on an odd shape or colour. This can include spots that are asymmetrical, dark in colour, or large in diameter, as well as spots that change over time. It is important to have every mole on the body examined in order to discover malign changes early.

You will first remove your clothing, with underwear kept on. We provide a sheet for coverage and privacy. You should avoid wearing makeup, jewellery, and nail polish (so that we can check under the nails), as well as anything else that covers the skin. This will help make the process as smooth as possible. If you have any concerns about spots or moles on your body, you should bring these up before your full-body mole check. Your clinician will use a bright light and a magnifying tool in order to look at each skin lesion up close. The dermatologist will search your skin thoroughly – from your scalp to your feet – taking careful note of any irregular spots. We use state-of-the-art FotoFinder technology for mole mapping and AI mole tracking. If you do not have any suspicious spots, a full-body mole check will usually take about 10-15 minutes.

If your dermatologist finds a suspicious spot on your skin during your mole check, a biopsy will determine if it is cancer. After applying a numbing agent, the specialist will scrape off some of the lesion and then send the sample to a lab to be looked at. This is usually a quick and simple process. You may feel some scraping, but the numbing will prevent any pain.

After your mole check, the biopsy will show whether your skin contains cancerous cells. Since this can take up to a week, you will find out the results as soon as they are available. If the spot contains cancer cells, you may need to have it removed or otherwise treated.

A GP is a general practitioner who treats a variety of ailments. Whilst GPs are very knowledgeable and experienced doctors in all areas, a dermatologist (skin, hair, and nail specialist) has specialised knowledge in the field of skin conditions. A dermatologist will be able to give you advice based on years of experience treating skin cancers and other skin issues. He or she will draw on this expertise in order to give you a correct diagnosis and ensure cancer is caught in its early stages. Therefore, routine skin surveillance and ongoing mole checks are best performed by a dermatologist to identify any abnormalities or cancerous lesions.

It is always a good idea to consult a skin specialist about any skin concerns. However, you may also benefit from doing your best to monitor your own skin at home. When conducting an at-home mole check, you should:

• Check your whole body, including your nail beds, scalp, and soles of your feet
• Use a mirror or ask another person to help you check your back
• Look for spots that have grown in size or changed over time
• Take note of any spots that bleed or do not heal
• Also, look for moles that have irregular borders or strange colourings

If you are unsure about what to look for, check with your dermatologist. Although everyone should have a skin cancer check every so often, safe sun habits can prevent skin cancer from appearing in the first place.

Skin cancer is the rapid growth of abnormal cells in the epidermis caused by unrepaired DNA damage. Physicians identify the type of skin cancer by looking for irregular shapes and colourings on the skin as well as examining the cells. There are three main types of skin cancer:

• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
• Melanoma

These tumours often develop on skin that is exposed to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays or UV tanning beds. Detected early in the precancerous stage, a dermatologist can remove it entirely with minimal scarring.  If it is left unchecked, a cancerous growth can penetrate below the skin. When it gets to this stage, deeper surgical intervention may be required.

Basal Cell Carcinoma & Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Non-melanoma skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are less likely to be life-threatening. However, they can be locally destructive and disfiguring if left untreated. A skin cancer check will help to ensure there are no abnormal cells in your skin.

BCCs and SCCs occur when UV radiation or other damaging agents trigger abnormal changes in the basal cells and squamous cells respectively. Located in the epidermis, basal cells are responsible for forming new cells to replace the squamous cells that wear off the skin’s surface. As basal cells move up in the epidermis, they get flatter and eventually become squamous cells.

BCCs typically present as shiny bumps, open sores, reddish patches, pinkish growths or scar-like areas. Lesions can vary in size and may sometimes ooze, itch, or bleed.

SCCs can appear as scaly red patches with irregular borders, open sores, wart-like growths that may crust and bleed, or raised growths with a central depression. SCCs are more likely to grow into deeper layers of skin and spread to other parts of the body.

The majority of BCCs and SCCs can be fully eliminated if diagnosed early and treated when the cancer is small. Patients affected by BCCs or SCCs possess an increased risk of other skin cancers, especially melanoma. Regular self-skin examinations and an annual skin cancer check by a dermatologist are highly recommended.

Melanoma

Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, develops in cells known as melanocytes. These skin cells are responsible for producing melanin pigment which gives the skin its colour. Detecting melanoma early is vital as it can spread to other parts of the body and become life-threatening if not treated at an early stage. For this reason, you should seek a regular skin cancer check to ensure your moles are benign.

Melanomas often resemble moles and sometimes may arise from them. They can be found on any area of the body, even in areas that are not typically exposed to the sun. Once a mole has developed, it will usually stay the same size, shape, and colour for many years. However, cancerous melanoma cells may change over time. Most people have moles, and almost all moles are harmless. It is important to recognise changes in a mole (such as in its size, shape, colour, or texture) that can suggest a melanoma may be developing. A skin specialist can perform a mole check to help you determine if your moles contain melanoma cells.

The characteristics of melanoma are defined by the ABCDE rule, which stands for:

• Asymmetry – Melanoma is often asymmetrical, which means the shape isn’t uniform.
• Border – It often has borders that aren’t well defined or are irregular in shape.
• Colour – The lesions are often more than one colour or shade.
• Diameter – Melanoma growths are normally larger than six millimetres in diameter.
• Evolution – They will often change characteristics, such as size, shape, or colour.

As mentioned, most moles are harmless and will not lead to cancer. But undergoing a regular skin cancer check is important in order to catch any skin cancer that may arise in its early stages. Particularly if you have light skin, freckles, or spend a lot of time in the sun, an annual mole check should be a regular part of your health routine. Our expert skin specialists at ODE Dermatology use the most modern and advanced diagnostic methods to examine the skin and find any unusual skin cells. If you are seeking a quality skin cancer clinic in Melbourne, our team are happy to help you.

What are the symptoms of skin cancer?

Although the symptoms of cancer vary widely, there are some common signs. Your dermatologist will look for these signs during your mole check. They can include:

• A patch of skin that looks different from the surrounding skin
• A spot that bleeds and doesn’t heal
• A freckle or mole that changes, size, colour, and texture

Can I prevent skin cancer?

Not all skin cancer is preventable. However, you can significantly reduce your risk by maintaining safe sun habits. Being aware of how much time you spend in the sun and applying sunscreen can help prevent skin cancer from developing. Regardless, a regular skin cancer check is still important.

Is my skin cancer check covered by Medicare in Australia?

Medicare does not always cover mole checks. However, it may cover your mole check if you have a valid GP referral. Medicare may also cover the removal of precancerous skin spots.

How long does a mole check take?

A skin cancer check usually takes 15 to 20 minutes to complete, but this can depend on your skin and the number of moles you have. You should tell your doctor about any unusual spots or lesions that have recently appeared or that change over time.

What should I wear to my skin cancer check?

You should wear comfortable and loose clothing to your mole check appointment. You should also not wear any nail polish or makeup. During the appointment, you may be asked to take your hair out so that your scalp can be examined.

Do I have to undress?

During your skin cancer check, you will need to undress down to your underwear so that your skin can be examined. If you are concerned about any moles or spots in an area covered by the underwear, you should let your dermatologist know.