Skin Cancer Diagnosis & Management

Why see a dermatologist instead of a skin cancer clinic?

Dermatologists are doctors who have specialised in the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions, including skin cancer. They are regarded as the experts in skin cancer diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Skin cancer clinics are usually managed by GPs who have a special interest in skin however have not qualified as a dermatologist. To check whether your doctor is a dermatologist, look for the letters FACD after their name which stands for Fellow of Australian College of Dermatology.

At our clinic, you will see one of our Dermatologists who will complete a full head to toe body check and take photos of any concerning lesions to monitor for any changes in appearance of the lesion.

We offer a range of management options for skin cancers which include chemotherapy creams; cryotherapy; diagnostic biopsies and surgical removal. Our Plastic Surgeon, Prof Alex Varey is available for surgical management of larger skin cancers on the body or in cosmetically sensitive areas such as the face.

Preventing skin cancers

2 in 3 Australians are diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70.

Fortunately, skin cancer is preventable. Nearly all skin cancers are directly related to your exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. To prevent and reduce your risk of developing skin cancers, it is important to protect your skin from the sun’s UV radiation The good news is it’s also never too late to start applying! Every day you protect your skin, you reduce your risk.

Protect yourself in 5 ways

Wear clothes that cover your arms & legs – this is extremely effective in protecting your skin
Apply a sunscreen of SPF 50+ UVA/UVB, we recommend water-resistant in warmer months, especially during water-related activities/sweating
Hats that cover your face, ears and neck help to prevent where most skin cancers appear
Reduce any excessive sun exposure and find shade when you can!
Eyewear/sunglasses reduce UV exposure to your eyes

Preventing Ageing

Sun protection is important to keep your skin looking as healthy and young as possible. The sun is responsible for most of your skin’s visible signs of aging and causes the breakdown of collagen and elastin which leads to thinner, wrinkled, red and pigmented skin.

Sunscreen should be used every day to prevent aging. A daily application of a broad-spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen can fade age spots, improve skin texture, and flatten out wrinkles by 20 percent in three months. Researchers suggest that it’s because sunscreen lets the skin take a break from being continually battered by UV rays, so its own powerful regenerative abilities have a chance to work.

Types of sunscreens

There are two main types of sunscreens: physical and chemical. Both have their own unique properties and beneﬁts, and both help protect skin from UV rays which cause skin cancer and aging.

Physical sunscreen (eg. Zinc) uses minerals that sit on top of skin and reﬂect away UV rays. The minerals titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the main active ingredients in physical blocks. Physical sunscreens are less irritating and a better fit for sensitive skin. However, they can feel heavy on the skin.
Chemical sunscreen absorbs into the skin and then absorbs UV rays, converts the rays into heat, and releases them from the body. The active ingredients in chemical sunscreens include avobenzone, octinoxate and oxybenzone. Chemical sunscreen is a better option if you are swimming and need a water-resistant formulation, play sports, sweat a lot during the day or want a sunscreen that absorbs quickly into the skin