Booking your first skin cancer check can come with a few questions. Do you need to point out every mole? How much of your skin will the doctor examine? What happens if they find something unusual?
A full body skin cancer check is an opportunity for a doctor to examine your skin for spots or lesions that may require further assessment. Your doctor can also discuss your individual risk factors, any changes you have noticed and whether follow-up or further investigation may be appropriate.
For patients looking for a skin cancer check in Brighton, selected GPs at North Brighton Medical provide full body skin checks as well as assessment of individual moles and concerning skin lesions.
Here's what you can generally expect.
Your GP May Start by Asking About Your Skin History
Before examining your skin, your GP may ask questions to better understand your individual circumstances and skin cancer risk.
This could include questions about:
Previous skin cancers or suspicious lesions
Family history of melanoma or other skin cancers
Significant sun exposure or previous sunburn
Moles or spots you have noticed changing
Previous biopsies or skin cancer treatments
Any areas of your skin that currently concern you
If you have noticed a particular spot changing, make sure you tell your doctor. Even during a full body examination, pointing out the areas you are concerned about can provide useful context.
Your GP may also consider other factors relevant to your individual risk and advise you about an appropriate approach to future skin checks.
What Happens During the Skin Examination?
During a full body skin check, the doctor systematically examines your skin for lesions that may warrant closer assessment.
This can include areas that are difficult to examine yourself. Your doctor will explain what is involved in the examination and may ask you to adjust or remove clothing as required so the relevant areas of skin can be assessed.
A doctor is not simply looking for the largest or darkest mole. Different types of skin cancer can have different appearances, which is why changes in your skin and lesions that look different from your usual spots can be important.
At North Brighton Medical, selected Brighton doctors provide full body skin checks and assessment of individual skin lesions.
What Is Your Doctor Looking For?
Your doctor will assess spots and lesions for features that may warrant monitoring or further investigation.
When checking your own skin between appointments, it can be helpful to become familiar with what is normal for you. Changes that should be discussed with a doctor can include a spot that:
Is new or changing
Changes in size, shape or colour
Looks noticeably different from your other moles
Bleeds or crusts
Becomes persistently itchy
Develops into a sore that does not heal
These changes do not automatically mean that a spot is cancerous. However, they are reasons to consider having the area professionally assessed rather than trying to diagnose it yourself.
If you have noticed a suspicious or changing mole and are considering a melanoma check in Brighton, you can learn more about skin cancer checks and treatment at North Brighton Medical.
What Happens If Your GP Finds a Suspicious Spot?
Finding a spot that requires further assessment does not necessarily mean that you have skin cancer.
What happens next depends on the appearance of the lesion, your medical history and the doctor's clinical assessment.
Depending on the individual circumstances, your GP may recommend monitoring the lesion, arranging a biopsy or other procedure, or referring you for further assessment.
If a spot is being monitored, your doctor may recommend reviewing it again after a particular period. Where possible, it can be helpful to see the same GP for the follow-up appointment so they can assess any changes over time.
North Brighton Medical provides skin cancer treatment within the practice where appropriate, with further referral considered when required.
Do You Need a Skin Cancer Check Every Year?
There is no single skin-check schedule that is appropriate for every person.
How often you should have your skin professionally checked depends on your individual circumstances and risk factors. Rather than assuming that you automatically need an annual examination, discuss your skin cancer risk and appropriate frequency of professional checks with your GP.
In between appointments, becoming familiar with your own skin can help you recognise new or changing spots.
Importantly, if you notice a concerning change, you do not need to wait until your next planned full body skin check. You can make an appointment specifically to have that lesion reviewed.
Full Body Skin Check vs a Single Mole Review
Not every skin appointment needs to involve a full body examination.
If you have one particular mole, lesion or spot that concerns you, you can arrange an appointment for that area to be assessed. This can also be appropriate if a doctor has previously asked you to return so that a particular lesion can be reviewed again.
A full body skin cancer check is more comprehensive and involves examining your skin more broadly.
If you're unsure which appointment you need, contact the practice before booking.
How Can You Prepare for a Skin Cancer Check?
A little preparation can help you make the most of your appointment.
Before attending, think about whether you have noticed any new or changing spots and where they are located. If another doctor has previously assessed or monitored a lesion, let your GP know and bring any relevant information you have available.
You may also want to make a short list of the spots you want to discuss so you do not forget them during your consultation.
Most importantly, don't be embarrassed about pointing out a spot because of where it is located. If you've noticed a concerning change, tell your doctor so the appropriate area can be assessed.
Who Can Book a Full Body Skin Cancer Check at North Brighton Medical?
North Brighton Medical provides full body skin cancer checks through selected GPs.
Dr Guan Ye, Dr Isabella Liu and Dr Peter Semaan are trained and experienced in diagnosing and treating skin cancer, and full body skin checks can be booked with them online.
Dr Marcus Peplow and Dr Charis Herman also perform full body skin cancer checks but currently only have capacity to provide these appointments for their existing regular patients. These appointments need to be arranged by calling the practice.
You can find current appointment and fee information on our Skin Cancer Treatment page.
Book a Skin Cancer Check in Brighton
If you've noticed a new or changing spot, have a lesion that requires follow-up, or would like to discuss whether a full body skin check is appropriate for you, a GP can assess your individual circumstances and advise you on the next steps.
North Brighton Medical provides skin cancer checks for patients from Brighton and nearby suburbs including Gardenvale, Elsternwick, Caulfield South, Bentleigh, McKinnon and Ormond.
Learn more about our skin cancer checks in Brighton, mole reviews and skin cancer treatment, including which doctors currently offer full body skin checks and how to book.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Skin changes can have many causes, and this information cannot replace an individual medical assessment. If you are concerned about a mole, lesion or other change to your skin, speak with your GP or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional.