FirsT Full body skin check*
Your FIRST full body skin check appointment includes:
- A small self-directed assessment
- Opportunity for you to identify any lesions of concern you may have
- Nurse-led history taking
- Gown provided for use over underwear during the session
- Total body photography (TBP): recommended for people with more than 20 prominent moles*
- Mole mapping
- GP Specialist Assessment & Treatment Planning
- Education
- Future skin check planning tailored for you:
- Should I have a routine skin check every 3, 6 or 12 months?
- Is a 15 or 30 minute routine check needed?
- Follow-up Appointment scheduling
Preparation
* Although TBP may not be required, your appointment will be just as thorough, and any concerning lesions will be examined and photographed for future reference and treatment planning.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early so that you can complete the self-assessment without feeling rushed
- A gown will be provided to you during your appointment. You will be asked to remove your outer clothing in a private setting. Some female clients prefer to wear two-piece swimwear, rather than underwear, but please wear what you are most comfortable in.
- The appointment itself is 30 minutes.
- Make sure your skin is moisturised and not dry on the day of imaging
- A suntan or sunburn can alter the appearance of your moles. Please practice sun safety!
- Please remove makeup & self-tanner
- Wear minimal jewelry (this may need to be removed)
- If you wish to shave or wax, please do so a few days before hand so that any skin irritations have had time to settle
- If you have long hair, please be prepared to tie it up for imaging
* Although TBP may not be required, your appointment will be just as thorough, and any concerning lesions will be examined and photographed for future reference and treatment planning.
Total body photography (TBP)
High quality images of your skin are taken from head to toe, to help your doctor monitor and assess your moles. Your moles will be mapped to your virtual 3D body map, so that any changes can be tracked over time.
What to expect...
Routine Skin checks
Routine Skin Checks (Reviews) are essential to optimise early sun cancer detection. During your FIRST Full Body Skin Check, you will be advised how frequently these should be attended, and whether a 15 or 30 minute appointment is best for you.
Please refer to the back page of your information booklet to see what has been recommended for you.
Please refer to the back page of your information booklet to see what has been recommended for you.
Alternatively, please phone the receptionists at Shore Care Family Practice so that they can help book the type of appointment that is best for you.
lesion of concern
may require
MONITORING
through Routine Skin Checks (reviews)
MONITORING
through Routine Skin Checks (reviews)
or
BIOPSY
BIOPSY
Biopsy
A Biopsy is a surgical procedure in which a sample of the lesion's tissue is collected. This tissue sample is then sent to a pathologist to see whether it is malignant (cancerous). If malignant, the type of cancer will also be included in the pathology report.
To begin, the nurse will take you through to the treatment room, where she will:
You can ask any questions along the way, and once finished, you’ll be given some information to take home.
After care, including suture removal at a later date, is included in the biopsy fee.
To begin, the nurse will take you through to the treatment room, where she will:
- Explain the procedure to you & gain your consent
- She will then get you ready for the biopsy by getting you comfortable and preparing the site. This may include injecting some local anaesthetic to start numbing down the area
You can ask any questions along the way, and once finished, you’ll be given some information to take home.
After care, including suture removal at a later date, is included in the biopsy fee.
Non-surgical treatment
Some skin cancers are able to be treated without cutting. Non-surgical treatment may include:
CRYOTHERAPY
Cryotherapy is a treatment that uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal or cancerous cells on the skin. It’s commonly used to treat early-stage skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), as well as precancerous growths.
HOW IT WORKS: Liquid nitrogen is applied to the affected area, freezing the cancerous cells. This causes the cells to die and fall off, allowing healthy skin to regenerate. Cryotherapy is effective for superficial cancers and precancerous lesions.
BENEFITS:
WHAT TO EXPECT: The procedure takes just a few minutes and may cause a brief stinging or burning sensation. Afterward, the treated area may blister or scab, but this typically heals within a few weeks.
TOPICAL MEDICATION
Topical medications are creams or gels applied directly to the skin to treat certain types of skin cancer or precancerous growths. These treatments work by targeting and destroying abnormal cells on the skin’s surface, helping your body naturally remove or heal them.
HOW IT WORKS: Topical treatments contain active ingredients that specifically target cancerous or precancerous cells while leaving healthy tissue unharmed. When applied to the skin, the medication works to shrink or destroy the abnormal cells, which are then shed or healed by the body over time.
Common Topical Treatments:
Topical treatments typically require daily application for several weeks. During treatment, you may notice redness, irritation, peeling, or crusting as the medication works to destroy the abnormal cells. These side effects are usually temporary and will resolve after the treatment ends.
Your doctor will provide clear instructions on how to use the medication and monitor your progress throughout the treatment. It’s important to follow their guidance for the best results.
CRYOTHERAPY
Cryotherapy is a treatment that uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal or cancerous cells on the skin. It’s commonly used to treat early-stage skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), as well as precancerous growths.
HOW IT WORKS: Liquid nitrogen is applied to the affected area, freezing the cancerous cells. This causes the cells to die and fall off, allowing healthy skin to regenerate. Cryotherapy is effective for superficial cancers and precancerous lesions.
BENEFITS:
- Minimally invasive with no need for cuts or stitches
- Quick recovery with little downtime
- Minimal scarring compared to surgery
- Effective for small, surface-level skin cancers
WHAT TO EXPECT: The procedure takes just a few minutes and may cause a brief stinging or burning sensation. Afterward, the treated area may blister or scab, but this typically heals within a few weeks.
TOPICAL MEDICATION
Topical medications are creams or gels applied directly to the skin to treat certain types of skin cancer or precancerous growths. These treatments work by targeting and destroying abnormal cells on the skin’s surface, helping your body naturally remove or heal them.
HOW IT WORKS: Topical treatments contain active ingredients that specifically target cancerous or precancerous cells while leaving healthy tissue unharmed. When applied to the skin, the medication works to shrink or destroy the abnormal cells, which are then shed or healed by the body over time.
Common Topical Treatments:
- 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU): This medication is commonly used to treat basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and actinic keratosis (precancerous growths). It works by interfering with the growth of abnormal cells, causing them to die and be replaced by healthy skin.
- Imiquimod: This medication stimulates the immune system to attack and destroy cancerous or precancerous cells. It is often used for superficial basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and actinic keratosis.
- Fluorouracil/Calcipotriol Compound: This combination treatment is used for certain types of actinic keratosis and superficial basal cell carcinoma. The fluorouracil component works to kill abnormal cells, while calcipotriol helps enhance the effect of the treatment by modulating cell growth.
- Non-invasive: No surgery or injections are required.
- Convenient: You can apply the medication at home, as directed by your doctor.
- Effective: Topical treatments are effective for treating superficial skin cancers and precancerous spots.
- Minimal Scarring: Since the treatment targets only the affected cells, scarring is often minimal compared to surgery.
Topical treatments typically require daily application for several weeks. During treatment, you may notice redness, irritation, peeling, or crusting as the medication works to destroy the abnormal cells. These side effects are usually temporary and will resolve after the treatment ends.
Your doctor will provide clear instructions on how to use the medication and monitor your progress throughout the treatment. It’s important to follow their guidance for the best results.
surgical treatment
Surgical Excision of Skin Cancer
In cases where skin cancers are more significant, invasive, or not effectively managed by non-surgical therapies, surgical excision is often the recommended treatment. At our skin cancer clinic, this procedure ensures the complete removal of cancerous tissue while prioritizing both health and cosmetic outcomes.
When is Surgical Excision Necessary?
Surgical excision is typically reserved for skin cancers that:
What to Expect During the Procedure:
Aftercare and Recovery
We prioritize not only effective treatment but also the best possible cosmetic outcomes for our patients. To support optimal healing, our aftercare process includes:
In cases where skin cancers are more significant, invasive, or not effectively managed by non-surgical therapies, surgical excision is often the recommended treatment. At our skin cancer clinic, this procedure ensures the complete removal of cancerous tissue while prioritizing both health and cosmetic outcomes.
When is Surgical Excision Necessary?
Surgical excision is typically reserved for skin cancers that:
- Are larger, more aggressive, or invasive into surrounding tissues
- Show rapid growth or resistance to other treatment methods, such as topical therapies or cryotherapy
- Require more definitive treatment to prevent spread and recurrence
What to Expect During the Procedure:
- Local Anesthesia: The area around the lesion is numbed to minimize discomfort during the procedure.
- Removal and Margins: The cancerous lesion is removed along with a small margin of surrounding healthy tissue to ensure no remaining cancer cells are left.
- Two-Layer Suturing Technique: For better cosmetic results, a two-layer suturing technique is often used. The deeper layer provides structural support, reducing tension on the surface and promoting smoother skin healing, while the outer layer minimizes scarring.
- Closure: The wound is closed carefully, and in some cases, may require advanced closure techniques, such as rotational flaps, to optimize healing and appearance.
Aftercare and Recovery
We prioritize not only effective treatment but also the best possible cosmetic outcomes for our patients. To support optimal healing, our aftercare process includes:
- Follow-Up: Regular follow-up appointments help us closely monitor healing and detect any signs of recurrence.
- Wound Care Education: Our team provides thorough guidance on post-surgical care, educating patients on techniques to minimize scarring and encourage smooth healing.
- Nurse Wound Review: We often arrange for a nurse to review the wound during recovery to ensure it is healing appropriately and address any concerns promptly.
Once you've finished the step you're on
Routine 15 or 30 minute Skin Checks
are key to monitoring your skin's health
Routine 15 or 30 minute Skin Checks
are key to monitoring your skin's health
Skin Cancer clinic fees
Time | Out of pocket | (Medicare Rebate) | Difference
FIRST Full Body Skin Check
30 minutes | $320 | ($82.90) | $237.10
Routine Skin Check
30 minutes | $275 | ($82.90) | $192.10
15 minutes | $140 | ($42.85) | $ 97.15
Biopsy
Biopsy prices depend on the number of lesions and time needed to perform them.
Quotes are provided when appropriate treatment is discussed.
Biopsy fees include GP & Nurse time, plus all biopsy materials including preparation consumables, local anaesthetic, suture material & after care.
Surgery
There are over 30 different surgical scenarios that attract different billings.
For this reason, a custom quote is provided once a surgical plan has been created.
Surgery fees include GP & Nurse time, plus all surgical materials including preparation consumables, local anaesthetic, suture material & after care, including wound care.
30 minutes | $320 | ($82.90) | $237.10
Routine Skin Check
30 minutes | $275 | ($82.90) | $192.10
15 minutes | $140 | ($42.85) | $ 97.15
Biopsy
Biopsy prices depend on the number of lesions and time needed to perform them.
Quotes are provided when appropriate treatment is discussed.
Biopsy fees include GP & Nurse time, plus all biopsy materials including preparation consumables, local anaesthetic, suture material & after care.
Surgery
There are over 30 different surgical scenarios that attract different billings.
For this reason, a custom quote is provided once a surgical plan has been created.
Surgery fees include GP & Nurse time, plus all surgical materials including preparation consumables, local anaesthetic, suture material & after care, including wound care.
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