What Happens During a Skin Check? A GP Guide

ByFamily Doctor Editorial

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by age 70. The good news: when caught early, most skin cancers are highly treatable. Regular skin checks with your GP are one of the most important health screenings you can have.

What Is a Skin Check?

A professional skin check is a systematic, full-body examination of your skin performed by a trained GP or skin cancer doctor. The goal is to identify any suspicious moles, spots, or lesions that could be cancerous or pre-cancerous.

What to Expect During Your Appointment

Before the Examination

Your GP will start with a conversation about your medical history and risk factors:

  • Personal or family history of skin cancer
  • Previous sunburns, especially blistering sunburns in childhood
  • Time spent outdoors or working outdoors
  • Tanning history (beds, sun bathing)
  • Skin type (fair skin burns more easily)
  • Any new, changing, or concerning spots you’ve noticed

The Examination

You’ll change into a gown in privacy, then your GP will systematically examine your skin from head to toe. This includes:

  • Scalp (by parting hair)
  • Face, ears, and neck
  • Chest, abdomen, and back
  • Arms, including underarms and between fingers
  • Legs, including between toes
  • Genital area (with your consent)
  • Nails and palms/soles

Most GPs use a dermatoscope — a handheld magnification device with a light — to examine any suspicious spots in detail. This non-invasive tool helps distinguish between harmless moles and potential skin cancers with greater accuracy than the naked eye.

How Long Does a Skin Check Take?

A thorough full-body skin check typically takes 20 to 30 minutes. If you have many moles or a history of skin cancer, it may take longer. The examination itself is painless — your GP simply looks at and, when needed, examines spots with the dermatoscope.

What If Something Suspicious Is Found?

If your GP identifies a concerning spot, they have several options:

  • Photograph and monitor — for spots that are probably benign but worth watching, your GP may photograph them for comparison at your next visit
  • Biopsy — removing a small sample to send to pathology for diagnosis
  • Full excision — removing the entire spot if it’s highly suspicious
  • Referral to a specialist — for complex cases or specialist treatments

How Often Should You Have a Skin Check?

Guidelines vary based on your risk profile:

  • Low risk (young, fair skin, low sun exposure): Every 2-3 years
  • Moderate risk (fair skin, significant sun exposure): Annually
  • High risk (history of skin cancer, family history, many moles): Every 6-12 months
  • After a previous skin cancer diagnosis: Every 3-6 months for the first 5 years

You should also do self-checks every 3 months. Use the ABCDE rule to assess moles:

  • Asymmetry — one half doesn’t match the other
  • Border — irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined edges
  • Colour — varied colours or unusual shades
  • Diameter — larger than 6mm (pencil eraser)
  • Evolving — changing in size, shape, or colour

Book a Skin Check with Family Doctor

Most Family Doctor clinics offer skin checks with GPs trained in dermoscopy. For specialised skin cancer screening with advanced imaging, visit DrSkinCheck, our dedicated skin cancer clinic network.

Find your nearest Family Doctor clinic and book your skin check today.

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