Mole Mapping Gold Coast - Skin Check

Mole Mapping

At Skin Clinic Robina, we provide state-of-the-art mole mapping services at our Gold Coast clinic for the purposes of early skin cancer detection. Mole mapping is an advanced skin cancer screening process that utilises the latest in computer technology to provide a comprehensive scan of your skin and is particularly essential for those who have a family history of skin cancer or those who possess a large number of moles. With mole mapping, high resolution images are taken of your body to develop a reference point for future skin checks.

Mole Mapping Explained

Mole mapping is a method of skin screening aimed at discovering new moles and identifying ones that have altered in appearance. It’s a modern process that allows doctors to examine your skin with meticulous precision and record images of their findings. Any moles deemed peculiar can be studied using a powerful camera lens and inspected for irregularities. The prevalence of deadly melanoma in Australia is the highest in the world and we strongly advise everyone to have skin checks at least once a year. Regular skin checks help to ensure that our doctors diagnose melanoma in its infancy, when it can be treated most successfully.

Mole mapping is a precise method of early skin cancer detection that enables our qualified doctors to accurately observe any changes or irregularities in your skin, providing patients with the best possible chances of successful skin cancer treatment.

The Mole Mapping Procedure

The procedure normally requires around 30 minutes to complete and at the conclusion of the session, a ‘map’ of your moles is obtained and stored in our database for future comparison. Your trained doctor will discuss the mole mapping process with you and answer any queries or worries you may have about specific moles on your body. Please advise our qualified doctor if you’ve noticed that any of your moles have undergone a change in appearance. Any moles that require additional inspection will be evaluated by our qualified doctor.

Mole mapping integrates dermoscopy, total body photography and the comparison of high precision images that are recorded during your appointments. These combine to deliver an effective method of detecting early stage skin cancer. During the procedure, your doctor will carefully move the mole mapping camera vertically from top to bottom to capture a total body image.

The FotoFinder® bodystudio ATBM system enables our doctors to obtain high quality images of unprecedented clarity for each mole and surface of the skin that they examine. These images can then be analysed to provide a malignancy score and can also be used to identify changes in any of your earlier mole scans.

Upon reviewing the results of the analysis, your doctor will advise you on whether any of your moles require further examination and recommend a date for your next mole map appointment. The date of your next appointment is only a guide however, and if you do become aware of any changes in the appearance or texture of any moles or would prefer to have an appointment at an earlier date, simply contact us to arrange a booking.

Mole mapping is merely an advanced imaging system, so there are absolutely no side effects. You can resume your ordinary daily routine as soon as your appointment is finished.

What If the Doctor Finds a Mole That Could Be Cancerous?

Any mole that your doctor is concerned about will be analysed further. You will be asked if you believe that the mole’s appearance has changed recently or if it has only just appeared. Your doctor will then examine the mole further using a dermatoscope to help reveal any signs of possibly-cancerous tissue. If the mole is believed to be malignant in nature, your doctor will advise to have a sample removed so that it can be examined. Typically, we can arrange to have the mole examined on the same day as your appointment. The results of the analysis will identify if the mole is benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

The Technology

All of our mole mapping and total body photography is performed using the FotoFinder® bodystudio ATBM and the FotoFinder® Dermoscope.

Important Information about Mole Mapping Photos

If a patient requests to have a copy of their mole mapping photos, this can only be done in person and two forms of ID is required. Eg. driver’s licence, Medicare card, passport etc. Photos will be saved onto a USB purchased at Skin Clinic Robina. External USB’s are not accepted. Due to privacy and security of the photos, the USB will not be posted or emailed under any circumstances. An authority to release medical information form will be required to sign on pick up.

CONTACT SKIN CLINIC ROBINA

Early detection of skin cancer is vital to ensuring successful treatment outcomes. Mole mapping is an ideal method of helping doctors identify any potentially cancerous moles that you may have. Arrange for an appointment today by filling out our contact form or call us on 07 5562 1300.