Australia has one of the world’s highest incidences of skin cancer, with powerful UV rays occurring in most parts of the country. Early detection and proper treatment improve the chances of successful treatment of skin cancers.
Regular skin checks by you or a professional are crucial to detecting skin cancer early. An annual skin check allows your doctor to assess and examine your skin for signs of cancer, including any rash and moles.
Why your annual skin check is important?
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. It doesn’t only appear in places frequently exposed to the sun. It appears in areas where the sun doesn’t shine, such as your palms, between your fingers and toes, the bottom of your feet, and your genitals.
Skin cancer often grows in areas that are difficult to spot, such as the scalp, the back of the neck and ears, buttocks, behind the knees, and the back. So the victim may not even be aware that they exist, but with early detection, most skin cancers are highly treatable.
So it is for this reason that regular skin checks by a professional are necessary, and they should be at the top of your annual healthcare routine.
Preparing for a skin cancer screening
Indeed, skin cancer screening is simple and relatively quick. You can do certain things before your visit to ensure that your screening is smooth and stress-free.
- Perform a self-check to prepare yourself with notes of new skin lesions or changes. If you notice a mole or a rash that is changing, take photos so you can monitor changes and make an appointment to see a doctor as soon as possible.
- Avoid makeup and fake tan before your appointment, as they can distort the appearance of your skin lesions, making it difficult for the doctor to examine your skin thoroughly. Also, it is ideal not to wear nail polish to your exam so your skin cancer clinician can see your nail beds.
- Your doctor can only examine what they see, so you must wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you can easily slip on and off. It will make the screening process much easier.
- Wear your hair loose to help the doctor examine your scalp better. The scalp is a common growth zone for skin cancer. Keeping your hair loose and clean will allow the doctor to get a good look at your scalp.
- Come prepared with any questions or concerns you have for your doctor, so all your concerns are addressed. Also, since the genitals are not routinely checked, let the doctor know if there is anything that concerns you.
What should you expect during your skin check?
Skin cancer screening often differs depending on the patient, their skin cancer risk, and medical history, but the screening usually lasts about 15 minutes and generally follows these steps:
- You’ll be asked to remove your clothes and wear a medical gown.
- Your doctor will ask if you have any spots you’re concerned about and then examine every inch of your skin using a small handheld skin microscope called Dermatoscope.
- If necessary, your clinician will perform a skin biopsy which involves removing a part of a suspected lesion for analysis in the laboratory.
- You will get a detailed result of your skin’s current health once the screening is over. If you perform a biopsy, you will receive the results, and if needed, the doctor will discuss a treatment plan with you.
The only way to be certain about your skin’s health is to have a comprehensive annual skin check at a leading skin cancer clinic such as Skin Clinic Robina. Early detection is the key to a cost-effective treatment with a very high chance of success. It is best to book your skin check around a specific date or time of year that you will remember.
