Skin Checks

Skin Cancer Clinic Mount Martha

About Skin Cancer

Why have a skin check?

Skin checks save lives. Detecting skin cancer early means it can often be treated simply and offers the best chance of cure.

Who should have skin checks?

Anyone can develop skin cancer, but some people are at higher risk. You should have regular checks if you:

Have fair skin, lots of moles or freckles
Have a personal or family history of melanoma or other skin cancers
Have ever used a tanning bed or had blistering sunburns
Spend a lot of time outdoors for work or leisure
Are over 40 (risk increases with age)

Note: Melanoma is also the most common cancer in young Australians aged 15–39. You can check your individual risk at scanyourskin.org.

What happens in a skin check?

A skin check is simple and thorough. Here’s what to expect:

Preparation

We’ll ask you to remove makeup, nail polish, and fake tan so your natural skin and nails can be examined.

Undressing

You’ll usually be asked to undress to your underwear so all skin can be checked.

If you feel uncomfortable, let your clinician know — we can adjust the check to what feels right for you.

Examination

Your doctor will examine your skin from head to toe, including scalp, nails, and soles of the feet.

A dermatoscope (a special magnifying light) is used to view structures not visible to the naked eye.

Photographs may be taken for future comparison.

Discussion

If anything suspicious is found, we’ll explain what it means and whether a biopsy or treatment is recommended.

Reassurance

Most spots turn out to be harmless. If treatment is needed, we’ll guide you every step of the way.

Total Body Photography (TBP)

Total Body Photography creates a detailed photographic map of your skin to track even the smallest changes over time.

According to the Melanoma Institute of Australia, TBP may be recommended if you have:

More than 100 moles
Moles that are large, irregular, or unusual in shape
Moles on your back or other hard-to-see places
A previous history of melanoma (especially more than one)
A strong family history of melanoma (multiple relatives affected)
Fair skin that has been severely or repeatedly sunburnt

Benefits of TBP

Helps detect melanomas earlier
Reduces unnecessary biopsies
Provides reassurance for both patients and doctors

At our clinic, we also use AI-powered software to compare images over time, giving an extra level of accuracy in spotting changes that might otherwise go unnoticed.