Here at Nitai Skin Clinic Melbourne ALL our procedures are carried out under the direct supervision of Dr Shobhna Singh, a highly qualified and experienced medical doctor.
Understanding skin cancer
Skin cancer is an uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells in the skin. There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal and squamous cell carcinoma are called non-melanoma skin cancers. There are other, rare types of skin cancer that are treated very differently from the more common types.
Skin checks and screening
Having regular checks and screening at our skin cancer clinic in Melbourne can help save your life. Skin checks are very important as it can give your doctor an idea about your overall health. Skin checks aren’t just about screening for cancer, but also allow your doctor to check for skin conditions, abnormalities, and to check your overall health. Problems that is as simple as dehydration or as serious as a liver problem can be found through skin checks.
Skin cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in Australia, due to the amount sun Australians receive. Regular skin checks at our skin cancer clinic can help identify lumps, itchiness, discolouration, and redness that may arise or keep track of any mole that may change.
Sometime people can ignore smaller skin problems, which can get worse if left untreated. If you have any concerns about your skin you should get it check at our clinic in Melbourne to identify and treat any skin conditions. Many skin conditions can alter and damage the skin, which can make it susceptible to infection so regular checks are necessary.
Getting skin checks and cancer screenings from a doctor who has been awarded Skin Cancer Accredited statue by The Skin Cancer College Australasia (SCCA). Doctors who have this accreditation have completed significant additional study, have proven their skills in diagnosis and management of skin cancer, and passed many assessments.
Mole and skin cancer removal
A big part of skin checks is cancer screening, at our skin cancer clinic in Melbourne we offer early detection and treatment to ensure small skin problems don’t escalate into something more serious. It can be the best course of action to remove any suspicious moles so they can be examined (biopsy) and any further action can be taken.
Results of any screening or biopsy are returned as quickly as possible while still keeping results accurate to ensure appropriate action can be taken to resolve the issue quickly.
One of the most common treatments for skin cancer is surgical removal, which is normally a quick and simple procedure. The cancer and a small amount of surrounding healthy tissue will be removed. The healthy tissue will be checked to ensure that all the cancerous tissue has been removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)?
BCC makes up roughly 70 per cent on non-melanoma skin cancers.
BCC most commonly develops on the neck, head, and upper body
It can appear as a pearly lump or as scaly, dry areas that are pale or bright pink, and shiny
It may bleed or become inflames
BCC often has no symptoms and tends to grow slowly, generally not spreading to other areas of the body. BCC is easier to treat the earlier it is caught. If it goes undiagnosed, however, and grows larger than roughly five centimetres it can grow deeper and damage the tissue underneath. This can make treating the BCC more difficult and increase the chances of it coming back.
What Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)?
SCC makes up roughly 30 per cent of non-melanoma skin cancers.
SCC often appears as a thickened, scaly, red spot or a rapidly growing lump
It usually appears on parts of the body that have the most exposure to the sun, such as the neck,
head, arms, and lower legs
SCC may be tender to the touch, and can be mistaken for a skin sore
It can look like an unhealed sore
SCC tends to grow very quickly over several months or even weeks, and can spread to other parts of the body it left untreated.
What is Melanoma?
Australia has the highest rates of melanoma worldwide, with over 12,700 cases diagnosed in 2013. It is considered the most serious form of skin cancer.
It can appear a new spot or mole, or an existing spot or mole that changes size, colour, or shape over several weeks or months.
Melanoma tends to have an irregular surface or edge, and may be more than one colour, such as black, brown, red, white, light grey, or blur
Melanoma is rarely a single colour
If melanoma is left untreated it can spread deeper into the skin where the cells can be carried by the lymph or blood vessels to other parts of the body. The earlier melanoma is diagnosed, the higher the chance of it being cured.
