Skin Cancer Clinic

No. Most patients can book directly with our clinic without a referral. If you have noticed a new or changing spot, or you are due for a routine skin check, you can contact us directly via phone or the HotDocs app to arrange an appointment.

Your doctor will usually ask about your skin cancer history, family history, sun exposure, previous biopsies or excisions, and any spots you are worried about. A skin examination is then performed in the doctors room, usually down to your underwear. This is how a dedicated skin cancer clinic assesses patients thoroughly.

A routine skin check is often completed in about 15 minutes. It may take longer depending on the number of moles, your risk level, and whether any lesions need closer assessment.

Usually yes, down to your underwear, because skin cancers can occur in areas that are not routinely visible. If you have a spot under underwear, on the scalp, or in another hard-to-see area, please let your doctor know so it can be assessed appropriately.

They should be assessed as part of a proper skin examination unless the appointment is a limited spot check. For scalp and other less obvious sites, it helps to tell the doctor about any lesion you have noticed in those areas. The Cancer Council advises people to check their whole body regularly, including hard-to-see areas.

Yes. Many patients find that more comfortable, especially during a full skin check or when discussing biopsy or treatment options.

Bring your Medicare card, referral letters if you have any, details of previous skin cancers or pathology, and a list of medications. Especially note any spot that has changed in size, colour, shape, texture, or symptoms such as bleeding or itching.

Avoid make up and fake tan if possible, remove nail polish if there is concern about nails, and make a note of any lesion that has changed. If you are worried about a spot in the scalp or under your underwear, please bring that to the doctor’s attention.

Anyone with a new or changing lesion should be assessed. Regular skin checks are especially important for people with previous skin cancer, a family history of skin cancer, fair skin, lots of moles, significant sun exposure, outdoor work, or a weakened immune system.

That depends on your personal risk. Some patients are reviewed every 6 or 12 months, while lower-risk patients may need less frequent review.

Yes, especially if you are fair-skinned, have had years of sun exposure, have many moles, or have noticed something changing. Many skin cancers are first noticed by patients or their partners rather than by chance in a clinic.

Book promptly if you notice a new lesion, a changing mole, a spot that bleeds, a sore that does not heal, a crusted or scaly patch, or a lesion that looks different from the rest of your skin. The Cancer Council highlights these as key warning features.

No. A new or changing lesion should be assessed as soon as practical rather than waiting for your routine recall.

A mole scan is a close assessment of suspicious or significant skin lesions using clinical examination and magnified imaging tools. It helps the doctor compare features that may not be obvious to the naked eye.

Dermoscopy is the use of a handheld magnifying device with special lighting to examine structures within the skin. It is painless and is commonly used in skin cancer clinics during skin checks.

A routine skin check looks at the whole skin surface for suspicious lesions. A mole scan usually refers to closer inspection and recording of selected moles or lesions that warrant more detailed assessment.

No. They are non-invasive and do not involve surgery, radiation, or injections.

No test on the surface alone can guarantee certainty in every case. A doctor may recommend monitoring, biopsy, or excision if a lesion looks suspicious. Histopathology remains the definitive test when tissue is removed.

These are imaging technologies used to assist lesion assessment and monitoring. They can support clinical decision-making, but they do not replace examination by an experienced doctor or pathology when needed.

That depends on the appointment type, but for proper skin cancer prevention, a full skin check is usually more valuable. This is because some skin cancers are found in places you may not be concerned about.

Depending on how it looks, your doctor may recommend observation, photography or monitoring, or cryotherapy for some sun-damaged lesions. Suspicious lesions may require biopsy or excision.

A biopsy is the removal of part or all of a lesion so it can be examined under the microscope by a pathologist. It helps confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Some lesions are biopsied first, while others are removed completely from the outset, especially if melanoma is a concern or the clinical picture is clear.

Results are usually reviewed at a follow-up appointment, where the diagnosis, margins, and next steps are explained in plain language. You will receive a copy of the pathology report and advice at follow-up.

Possibly. That depends on the pathology result, the type of skin cancer, whether it has been fully removed, and the location of the lesion.

Melanoma is the most serious type of common skin cancer because it has a higher risk of spreading if not treated early. Early detection greatly improves the chance of simpler and more successful treatment.

A basal cell carcinoma, or BCC, is a common skin cancer that often grows slowly and rarely spreads distantly, but it can still enlarge and damage surrounding tissue if left untreated.

A squamous cell carcinoma, or SCC, is a skin cancer that can be more aggressive than a BCC and may occasionally spread, particularly if neglected or high risk.

Precancerous skin damage usually refers to sun-damaged skin and lesions such as solar keratoses or actinic keratoses. These are markers of chronic UV damage and some can progress to squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated. The Cancer Council notes that over 95% of skin cancers are related to UV exposure.

There is no single appearance. Warning signs include a spot that looks different from others, changes in size or colour, a sore that does not heal, bleeding, crusting, itching, or a lesion that keeps recurring.

Treatment depends on the type, size, depth and site of the lesion. Options may include biopsy, complete excision, cryotherapy for some superficial lesions, non-surgical treatment in selected cases, and ongoing surveillance.

No. Some lesions, especially selected superficial or precancerous lesions, may be suitable for non-surgical treatment.

Photodynamic therapy is a treatment used for selected sun-damaged or superficial lesions. A light-sensitive agent is applied and then activated by a specific light source. It is not suitable for every lesion, so doctor assessment is important.

Any procedure that cuts the skin can leave some degree of scar. The likely scar depends on the body site, the size of the lesion, the treatment method, and individual healing factors.

Yes, we treat precancerous skin damage, and advise on prevention & skin repair.

The biggest step is reducing UV damage: use shade, protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, and broad-spectrum sunscreen, and avoid deliberate tanning. The Cancer Council states that more than 95% of skin cancers are directly related to UV exposure.

Regular self-checks are sensible, especially if you are high risk. Become familiar with your skin so you notice new or changing lesions earlier. The Cancer Council recommends checking the whole body, not just sun-exposed areas.

No. Apps may help you record photos or notice change over time, but they cannot reliably diagnose skin cancer. The Cancer Council specifically notes that apps cannot reliably detect skin cancer and a worrying lesion should be assessed by a doctor.

Because many skin cancers are easier to treat when found early, often with smaller and less invasive procedures. Melanoma in particular is far more dangerous if diagnosis is delayed.

In most cases there is a Medicare rebate, but out-of-pocket costs can still apply depending on the consultation or procedure.

Despite the recent increase in Medicare rebates, unfortunately the rebate has lagged inflation by a considerable margin over the past 10 years. In order to maintain quality specialist care, our clinic must cover staffing, equipment, consumables, rent, insurance and ever rising costs. This necessitates a gap fee, which we endeavour to keep as low as possible.

Yes, pathology is bulk billed to Medicare at no additional cost to yourself.

Yes. Patients are entered into a computerised recall system for 3, 6 or 12 month review depending on risk. Recalls are sent to your phone via text message as they fall due.