Skin Clinic Now Open

Did you know Dr Ed Skinner is an expert in all aspects of skin care. He performs skin cancer checks, mole mapping and skin lesion removals. He also covers all aspects of general skin care including acne, hair loss, dermatitis and psoriasis.

Book on-line now for your skin cancer check with Dr Ed Skinner.

Skin checks for your health and peace of mind

Engaging in an annual skin check and a mole check is important for early detection of skin cancers and can be performed by one of our qualified male or female GPs at Yarra Medical. Skin cancers account for around 80% of all newly diagnosed cancers and occur when skin cells are damaged by, for example, overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Currently in Australia:

• between 95 and 99% of skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun
• GPs have over 1 million patient consultations per year for skin cancer
• Australia’s incidence of skin cancer is one of the highest in the world, two to three times that of Canada, the US and the UK

There are three main types of skin cancer:

• melanoma
• squamous cell carcinoma
• basal cell carcinoma

Cancer Council Australia encourages people to become familiar with their skin, including skin not normally exposed to the sun, and consult a doctor for a skin cancer check if they notice:

• any change in shape, colour or size of a mole
• the development of a new mole
• crusty sores that don’t seem to be healing
• small lumps that are red or pale in colour

All GPs at Yarra Medical are trained in skin checks and mole checks for the early detection of these skin cancers and many others that are less common.

Who should get a skin check?

In short, everybody. We’re all at risk of developing skin cancer, and this risk increases as we age. Most are due to too much exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, so protecting ourselves adequately when outside is something we should all be doing.

The factors below can increase your risk of skin cancer:

• Someone in your family has had skin cancer.
• You have fair skin.
• You have many moles.
• You’ve had bad sunburn.
• You spend a lot of time outdoors without sun protection.
• You use solariums.

If one or more of the above factors apply to you, book an appointment with a Yarra Medical doctor and have your skin examined. It’s also important that we all get familiar with our skin, any suspicious moles (if we have any), and what they look like so we can pick up on any changes. Keep in mind that most skin cancers are picked up by the individual, their partner or other family members.

Skin Cancer Prevention

For best protection, Cancer Council Australia recommends a combination of sun protection measures:

• Slip on some sun-protective clothing – that covers as much skin as possible
• Slop on broad spectrum, water resistant SPF30+ sunscreen. Put it on 20 minutes before you go outdoors and every two hours afterwards. Sunscreen should never be used to extend the time you spend in the sun.
• Slap on a hat – that protects your face, head, neck and ears
• Seek shade
• Slide on some sunglasses – make sure they meet Australian Standards

For more information on skin cancer and prevention, please visit the Cancer Council Australia’s page on skin cancer or speak to a doctor at our Richmond clinic today.

Need to get a skin cancer removed in Melbourne?

Most skin lesions can be safely removed at our inner-city Melbourne clinics. Located next to the CBD, Yarra Medical has experienced doctors that can remove moles and lesions quickly and efficiently. If you have a suspicious looking skin lesion or a skin lesion that needs to be removed, book your initial 10-15min assessment with any of our inner-city Melbourne doctors on-line today.

Get a mole check at a skin clinic in Melbourne

It’s common for adults to have 10-40 moles on their bodies, with most appearing before the age of 20. Moles are almost always benign (non-cancerous), but if they change colour, height, size or shape it can be a good time to book in a mole check at our Melbourne clinic. It’s always best to be safe than sorry.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. If discovered early, melanomas can be successfully removed before spreading to the rest of your body. Get a mole check and a full body check today and book yourself in for a yearly check-up. It could save your life! Book on-line today.