Australia is the skin cancer capital of the world. More than 11,500 Australian men and women are diagnosed with a melanoma each year.  The Cancer Council of Australia recommends all adults should check their own skin and moles regularly. Seeing a Skin Cancer GP and getting an assessment of your risk and how often you should get checked is important

Many people sadly fail to have their skin checked at all and some die of this preventable disease.

At Highgate Hill Doctors we recognise the importance of your skin health and have developed a specialist Skin Cancer Clinic.

Our Services:

At Highgate Hill Doctors we recognise the importance of skin health and perform preventative skin checks, treatment of skin conditions and most skin cancer procedures including flaps and skin grafts through our Skin Cancer Clinic.

Dr Catherine Swanson, Dr Matthew Edwards and Dr Ellen Rozis bring a wealth of skin cancer experience to the West End, South Brisbane and Highgate Hill area.

Highgate Hill’s Clinic conduct systematic skin checks using the latest dermatoscopes and equipment. After an examination we will assess how regularly you need a check-up and will organise any follow up appointments. We provide accurate diagnosis and appropriate surgical excisions.

Our Process

Our Doctors conduct systematic skin cancer checks. No shortcuts are taken. You will receive a full head-to-toe, scalp and feet examination where indicated. Our team are skilled in the latest dermatoscope exam. Appropriate photographs are recorded if needed as well.

Our Doctors will assess how regularly you need a check-up and will organise any follow up appointments. We provide accurate diagnosis and appropriate surgical excisions or in some cases chemical or immunological cream treatments.

Skin check appointments are pleasant and informative. We have a passion for skin cancer detection and treatment that is infectious. Our Doctors will send you away armed with the information you need. Self detection of new skin cancer is vitally important. Our Doctors will assess your skin and be realistic about how often you need check ups. No unnecessary recalls here

Skin Cancer Clinic Days:

Our doctors available for consultations Monday – Friday.

mole check

Skin Cancer Facts

What Types of skin cancers are there?

The three main types are Melanomas, Squamous Cell Carcinomas (SCCs) and Basal Cell Carcinomas (BCCs).

Melanoma
Melanomas are usually from previous sunburn but can occur anywhere on the body and on younger people. They are less common but more dangerous.

Remember melanomas can occur in old moles but up to 70% will occur as new lesions.

The pictured is quite an advanced one they all began as a small dot or a small change in an existing mole.

Melanomas only invade and go to lymph glands once they break through the deeper layer of the skin. The earlier you pick them up the   better as the prognosis is excellent with most early melanomas.

mole growth skin

Treatment

Always excision once diagnosed.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Like Basal Cell Carcinomas these are from an accumulation of sun damage over many years and generally occur in the most sun exposed areas like head face and upper chest and hands.

They can be preceded by sun damaged areas called solar keratosis. Bowens or intraepithelial carcinomas are on the way to being SCCs as well. These preceding lesions can be excised but there is an array of other techniques short of complete excision that can be used for these as well.

skin cancer mole

Treatment

SCCs Always excision

Basal Cell Carcinomas
BCCs are the most common form of skin cancer. SCCs can rarely spread to lymph glands. BCC s will not do this but can erode dangerously into local tissue.

BCCs usually are treated with formal excision. Frequently howeve our Doctors will diagnose them clinically and employ a technique where the biopsy process achieves successful treatment in itself.

What is your risk of skin cancer?

  • A history of plenty of sun or sun burn
  • Fair skin
  • A previous skin cancer
  • Family history of melanoma
  • Plenty of moles already
  • Poor immunity

How To Check You Skin

  • Plenty of light
  • Strip naked
  • Look all over from head to toe
  • Use a mirror to look at hard to find spots. Get someone to check.

See our Video on what to look for with pigmented or darkened lesions that change.

Once you have discovered a new or changing lesion come in and discuss with us here at Highgate Hill Doctors.

cancerous mole check

Treatments

Surgical excision is still the main stay of skin cancer treatment.  Our team members will excise most skin cancers here.  Our Doctors have had extensive experience if needed with complex skin flaps and skin grafts -which are occasionally needed.  We also have a group of excellent plastic surgeons we work with when needed as well.

Other Techniques

Creams

Our Doctors regularly also utilises chemical techniques for the removal of superficial skin cancers or skin lesions, as well as immunotherapy creams, which destroys the lesions over time.