Living in Australia, we are susceptible to sun damage to our skin. Skin cancers can form when the skin cells are damaged from overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It is vital that changes to skin and potential melanomas are examined and detected early for a higher success rate in treatment.
There are three main types of skin cancers that you should be familiar with – melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. It is important to get familiar with them and learn how to detect them on your own skin. Whether you’re located in Kensington, Waterloo, Zetland or Surry Hills, our doctors will be able to help you with skin cancer checks at our clinic.
- Melanoma can appear as a new or existing spot
- It can change size, colour or shape over a number of weeks or months
- Either has a flat or raised surface, and often an irregular edge
- Can be more than one colour (brown, black, blue, red, white, light grey, pink or skin-coloured)
- SCC may become inflamed and bleed.
- It can appear as a thick red, scaly or crusted spot, or rapidly growing lump
- It is often tender to touch
- SCC on the lips and ears is more likely to spread
- Commonly found on body parts most exposed to the sun
- Can appear as a pearl coloured lump, or a shiny pale or bright pink area that is slightly scaly to touch
- May become inflamed and bleed
It’s recommended that you have these examinations annually at a skin cancer clinic, or earlier if you have any concerns. Building continuous and trusting relationships with our patients is an integral part of providing the best possible care and outcome, and will aid us with early detection in your skin check. If there is a need for further examination, we can facilitate a referral to a dermatologist or specialist who can treat more complex skin cancers.