Skin Cancer in Australia
Skin cancer is one of the most prominent forms of cancer that Australians are diagnosed with each year. Compared to the rest of the world, Australia has some of the highest skin cancer rates. The chances of developing skin cancer tend to increase as people age, especially if they have more frequent exposure to the sun, although anyone can be diagnosed with it. It can occur when one is exposed to too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, which damages the body’s skin cells, including tanning, or may be caused by genetics. The three main types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, which is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. In 2020, 16,221 people were diagnosed with melanoma, with an estimated number of new cases in males to be 9,480 and 6,741 new cases in females. From 1982, cancer incidences in Australia are seen to be increasing overall.
Moles and signs of skin cancer
Melanoma can be caused by a seemingly small and innocent mole. While not all moles, freckles or spots are harmful, if they happen to be malignant (cancerous) and aren’t identified or treated in time, it can spread throughout the body.
Some changes to keep an eye out for when checking for signs of skin cancer are:
- Any new moles
- Moles increasing in size
- Changes in colour
- Lumps growing within the mole or the mole itself becoming raised
- Changes to the mole surface – becomes rough, scaly or ulcerated
- Itchiness, tingling sensations, or bleeding on moles
- Spots that seem different from the others found on your body
What is a Full Body Molemap?
As one of the leading mole clinics in Melbourne, mole mapping is the most effective and advanced way to carefully examine and photograph your body to monitor the size of your moles, to identify any signs of skin cancer at an early stage. At first, your body will be photographed to record the initial positioning of your moles. Mole mapping involves future visits to repeat the imaging process to detect any and all changes.
How does it work?
At QC Skin Cancer Clinic, we provide a Full Body Molemap service to give all our patients the best chance to defeat and remove skin cancer. Our service is made up of two tests:
- Total Body Mole Mapping
- Full Body Skin Check
Total Body Mole Mapping
Total Body Mole Mapping involves the use of a highly advanced photographic system to capture images of your entire body. From these photographs, the technology helps to construct a map of all the moles located on your body, also known as a ‘bodymap’. This is to attentively monitor your moles over time and to observe even the smallest changes that may occur.
The technology we use is a new high-tech body mapping system called Bodystudio ATBM, which was developed by the German company, FOTOFINDER. It utilises an automated imaging system to capture photographs of our patients from head to toe so we can record every single spot. Later in a follow-up session, the ATBM will obtain another set of photographs, from head to toe, to compare and analyse them with the images from the previous examination. During the analysis, any changes or new moles found by the software will be marked with red or yellow circles. The system allows us to monitor most of the skin’s surface, to detect even the slightest alterations to the skin or signs of malignant changes at the earliest possible stage.
Full Body Skin Check
For the second part of the process, the Full Body Skin Check, our accredited doctor whose expertise lies in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer, will examine all of the spots on your body using a Dermoscope, usually lasting around 20 minutes. A Dermoscope (mole scanner) is an epiluminescence microscope which allows us to look closely at spots. It allows us to magnify the spots to up to 130 times larger to identify any changes that would go unnoticed by the naked eye.
The skin check will require you to undress to your underwear, and a blanket can also be provided for your comfort. Genital areas are not usually examined, though skin cancers can develop anywhere on your body. If you notice any unusual spots there, you should inform our doctor, as they will only check these areas if you request them to.
Why should you get a Full Body Molemap with QC Skin Cancer Clinic?
A Full Body Molemap allows us to monitor each individual mole on your body as well as the condition of all your skin. We examine you from head to toe, thoroughly analysing every surface to ensure precise tracking of your moles and spots. Additionally, our service involves regular check-ups to detect any potential changes that may allow us to identify any early signs of skin cancer. Lastly, our consistent surveillance of your skin and moles does not involve any unnecessary surgeries.
We conduct all of our consultations and examinations with the utmost professionalism. Our dedicated doctor is a skin cancer specialist who never fails to provide the best professional care and experience. We always provide a friendly and efficient service to anyone who visits our clinic.
The technology we use to examine your skin is only the most advanced piece of equipment for the most effective body mapping. Our quality Dermoscope allows us to magnify and assess all potential spots in the early stages.
Our Full Body Molemap is a complete service that not only creates a molemap for you but also involves an extremely thorough skin check to identify changes in your skin early. Our entire examination procedure from the Total Body Mole Mapping to the Skin Check, is completely painless. If our doctor locates a suspicious spot, they may take a photograph to record and analyse it. If necessary, they may also take a sample of the skin (biopsy) for further analysis, which may involve later mole removal treatments.
How much does it cost?
Our Full Body Molemap service which involves completing both tests, the Total Body Mole Mapping and Full Body Skin Check, costs $220 altogether.
Who is it recommended for?
Full Body Mole Mapping is usually recommended for individuals with a high number of moles or spots or those who have a family history of skin cancer, especially melanoma. Our service is also for anyone who wishes to identify potential signs of skin cancer early with the most advanced and effective practices.
We also offer Full Body Skin Checks as an alternative skin cancer detection method.
Preparing for a Full Body Molemap
When visiting us for a Full Body Molemap appointment at our skin cancer clinic in Rowville, please avoid wearing any nail polish, make-up or fake tan, as these products can interfere with the skin examination and make it harder to locate some spots.
Skin cancer makes up 80% of all newly diagnosed cancers in Australians every year. We provide molemaps to countless patients across Melbourne. As one of the expert skin cancer clinics in Melbourne, allowing us to monitor, identify and treat malignant moles on your skin early is the key to surviving skin cancer.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us today for an examination to give yourself the best chance in defeating melanoma. You can call us on 03 9764 1662, email enquiry@qcskinclinic.com.au, or book online to arrange your Molemap appointment.