Why Skin Cancer Checks

SKIN CANCER SCREENING CHECKS IN AUSTRALIA

Australia holds the unfortunate title of being the skin cancer capital of the world. Every year, over 11,500 Australians are diagnosed with melanoma, while approximately 434,000 people receive treatment for non-melanoma skin cancers.

Skin cancer represents more than 80% of all new cancer cases diagnosed in Australia annually. The silver lining? Skin cancer is largely preventable, and with early detection, most cases can be successfully treated.


DELVE DEEPER

By using the latest high resolution digital dermoscopy equipment we can view structures below the surface of the skin that are invisible to the naked eye. This can help in the early detection of possible skin cancers.

IDENTIFY CHANGES

It is recommended by the Cancer Council of Australia that you become familiar with the look of your skin so you can pick up any changes. These changes are difficult to assess, so having your skin checked regularly by a skin cancer trained doctor may assist in identifying any suspicious lesions.


YOU CAN’T SEE EVERYTHING

Having a full body skin check means you can screen key areas of your body that you don’t necessarily have easy visual access to – for example your back.

YOU HAVE SIGNS?


If you notice any signs that concern you, scheduling a skin check right away can help with the early detection of potential skin cancer. Whether it’s to identify issues early or to reassure yourself that there’s nothing to worry about, prompt evaluation by a skin cancer-trained professional is a crucial step. Don’t wait—take action now for your health and peace of mind.

Signs to look out for:

  • Crusty, Non-Healing Sores: Any sores that do not heal over time.
  • Small Lumps: Red, pale, or pearly lumps that appear on your skin.
  • Changes in Spots, Freckles, or Moles: New spots, freckles, or existing moles that change in color, thickness, or shape over weeks to months.
  • Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70.
  • Over 11,500 Australian men and women are diagnosed with a melanoma each year.
  • An estimated 434,000 people are treated annually for one or more non-melanoma skin cancers.
  • Skin cancer accounts for more than 80% of all new cancer cases diagnosed in Australia each year.
  • Over 2,000 Australians die from skin cancer each year.
  • Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.
  • The incidence of treatments for basal and squamous cell carcinomas is over five times higher than for all other cancers combined.
  • In 2016, Medicare records showed more than 900,000 treatments for squamous and basal cell carcinoma skin cancers, averaging over 2,500 treatments every day.
  • Basal and squamous cell carcinoma skin cancers accounted for one-quarter of all cancer-related hospitalisations in 2014–15.