What are Warning Indicators for a Skin Cancer Check?
Some skin changes are a warning sign to get an urgent skin cancer check.
- A skin area that differs in appearance and texture from other skin patches
- A sore that doesn’t go away within a few weeks,
- A skin spot that itches or bleeds,
- A skin spot with altered size, shape, colour, or texture.
However, it would be best not to rely on picking up changes or using mobile applications to monitor your skin. Both are valuable and can pick up early changes; however, seeing a skin cancer doctor specialist or dermatologist is better.
- The frequency of skin cancer screenings has not been predetermined, but getting to know your skin will make recognising any new or changing lesions easier.
- Family history, fair skin and living in Australia and New Zealand are risk factors for a skin cancer check.
Ask our skin specialist doctor how frequently you should check your skin if you’ve ever had skin cancer or are more likely to acquire it.
Doctors Who Deal with Skin Cancer?
There are four main groups of doctors who deal with skin cancers.
To identify and treat skin cancer, see one or more of the following:
General practitioners with specialised training in skin cancer checks, diagnosis and treatment. These can be skin cancer doctors working in specialised clinics, or some GP will have acquired additional dermatoscope and cancer diagnosis training.
- Some doctors also have advanced skin cancer excision training with flaps and nonsurgical skin cancer treatment.
- Treatment options provided by skin cancer doctors include surgery, creams, and gels, all possible treatment forms.
You may be referred to a plastic surgeon if you have more extensive skin cancers or difficult-to-remove malignancies.
Dermatologists and Skin Cancer Diagnosis.
A dermatologist is a doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating diseases of the skin, including skin cancer. To be called a dermatologist, they must be a fellow of the Australian College of Dermatology. They can give out topical prescriptions and do general and cosmetic surgery, although sometimes they refer to plastic surgeons for skin cancer excision.
Other Types of Skin Cancer Doctor
- A radiation oncologist is a speciality physician who administers and manages radiation treatment to treat certain types of skin cancer.
- Surgical oncologists, who manage severe skin malignancies, especially those that have spread to the lymph nodes, fall under this category.
- General or plastic Surgeon – Surgeons with thorough training may treat various skin malignancies. Both plastic surgeons are skilled in complicated reconstructive treatments for harder-to-treat regions, including the nose, lips, eyelids, and ears,
Dr Colin McTari is a skin cancer doctor (not a dermatologist) with years of training and experience in not only diagnosis but also the treatment of simple to more advanced skin cancer, Including nonsurgical skin cancer treatment.
The skin cancer check with Dr Colin McTariWhen will cost $170, which you will get $79 refundable on Medicare. Request an early appointment if you have concerns with a skin lesion.
Skin Cancer Clinic Appointment
Do not forget to ask questions when you visit your skin cancer doctor.
Skin Cancer Check Diagnosis Questions
- What on my skin is this spot?
- Do I need a biopsy or an excision?
- How did my biopsy turn out? Is there skin cancer on me?
- What kind of skin cancer is it exactly?
- Did the excision or biopsy eliminate the skin cancer?
- Exist any treatment options and recommendations for this kind of cancer?
Skin Cancer Doctor Treatment Questions
- Do I require more treatment?
- Do I require a specialist’s opinion?
- What will the cost of the treatment be? Is Medicare going to fund it?
- About the procedure, whether there is pain involved, expected outcomes, scarring,
- Is it likely that this skin cancer will return after treatment?
- How frequently should I have my skin examined?
Can I Prevent Skin Cancer?
Sun protection is your best friend to prevent further skin cancer from developing. This includes avoiding all sun between 11 am and 2 pm, using broad-brimmed hats, umbrellas, and sunscreen.
Skin Cancer Checks
- Let Dr Colin Know if you have any concerns about recent changes.
- Dr Colin will check the total body.
- To inspect the areas more thoroughly, he will use a dermatoscope, a hand-held magnification device that he can attach to a smartphone and capture images of any concerning lesions.
Skin biopsy
The distinction between skin cancer and a non-cancerous skin spot cannot always be made based on appearance. To be sure of the diagnosis of suspicious lesions, Dr Colin usually needs to collect a tissue sample (biopsy).
A biopsy is often performed in the doctor’s office and is quick and easy, and there are two main types of biopsy.
- (Excision biopsy) Altogether remove the area and a tiny portion of surrounding healthy tissue.
- Remove a tiny piece of tissue from the area using a punch or an incision.
A bigger incision may be closed with stitches to speed up healing. All tissue taken out is submitted to a lab to be examined under a microscope by a pathologist.
It can take days to a week to receive the pathology report, and if an excision biopsy is performed, you will also know if the lesion was removed.
Once the diagnosis is made, Dr Colin is skilled in advising on your treatment options.
Call us on 07 3350 5447 to book a consultation with Dr Colin or Book Online.