top of page

How to prepare for your skin check:

  1. Confirm the time / date of your appointment
     

  2. If possible, inspect your own skin and make note of any lesions / areas of concern to point out to the doctor. If you notice a lesion in an area covered by hair, consider shaving the area 1-2 days before your appointment. The doctor is unlikely to examine your genitalia unless you specifically ask them to.
     

  3. If you’ve previously had a skin cancer check at a different clinic, it may be beneficial to ask if they can transfer any photos / notes to DermaDocs Skin Cancer Clinics before your appointment. These can be added to your record and used for comparison.
     

  4. Before your appointment, remove any makeup, nail polish or artificial tan. If these are not removed, it can be more difficult for the doctor to examine lesions and notice changes in colouration.
     

  5. Wear loose clothing to your appointment. You may be asked to dress down to your underwear during your appointment, and this is made easier by wearing loose fitting clothing. This is also important in case a biopsy is taken.

What does a skin check consist of?

If this is your first time visiting DermaDocs Skin Cancer Clinics, the doctor will start by discussing your personal and family history, including medications, job and exposure to the sun / radiation. Skin cancer can pop up in areas that are not directly exposed to the sun, so please ensure your doctor is aware of concerns you may have about any spots in hidden places.

 

You may be asked to dress down to your underwear. We have both male and female doctors available for your comfort. 

 

Your doctor will then use a dermatoscope to examine your skin closely, taking images of any lesions to keep for future comparison. Using a dermatoscope, your doctor will then look at your body including your face, ears, scalp, neck, chest, arms, back, and legs, between your toes, and the soles of your feet.

 

If necessary and if time permits, your doctor may wish to take a biopsy of any lesions to be sent for pathological testing. This is often to determine whether the lesion is of concern. You may be required to come back to review the results or to have sutures removed.

What is the difference between a spot check and a full body check?

A spot check is typically done when there is a particular spot or two of concern. For example, if there are visible changes to a mole. A full body check entails a thorough investigation of the whole body.

bottom of page