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 doctors at Yarra Medical. Skin cancers account for around 80% of all newly diagnosed cancers and occur when skin cells are damaged by 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.
Common Signs of Skin Issues
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.