Skin Cancer Screening
Unfortunately, in recent years Queensland has been named as the “Skin Cancer Capital of the World”. So we can’t afford to be complacent about skin cancer prevention. You don’t even have to get sun-burned to be affected. Constant daily exposure (especially as a child) to our high rates of UV radiation will increase your chances of getting skin cancer. Doctors divide skin cancer into two broad groups: Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (NMSC). NMSC includes sunspots, squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and basal cell carcinomas (BCCs).
It is important to check your own skin regularly for changes, especially if you already have a few moles. If you have a family history of skin cancer, especially melanoma, then you will need to take extra care. As you will know yourself, it can be very difficult to know when to worry about a spot or a mole on your skin. At Milton Village Medical the doctors are trained to recognise the signs of suspicious skin changes and we will be happy to check your skin for you. Most minor excisions and biopsies (excluding lesions on the face) can also be done at the clinic.
If you have a lot of moles then the only way to know if there has been any significant change is by regular annual checking, You might require referral to a dermatologist. Regular specialist dermatologist checks are also important if you have already had a melanoma or a skin cancer removed.
-
full skin checks
-
recognition of malignant and premalignant conditions
-
excisions
-
cryotherapy
-
field treatments such as Efudix
Doctors at Milton Village Medical with a special interest in skin cancer screening and treatment are:
Useful links
https://cancerqld.org.au/news/queensland-still-the-skin-cancer-capital-of-the-world/
https://www.cancer.org.au/preventing-cancer/sun-protection/preventing-skin-cancer/
https://www.cancer.org.au/about-cancer/types-of-cancer/skin-cancer/non-melanoma.html
https://www.cancer.org.au/about-cancer/types-of-cancer/skin-cancer/melanoma.html
