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.
What is Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is the 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 carcinomas are called non-melanoma skin cancers. Other, rare types of skin cancer are treated very differently from the more common types.
Skin Cancer Types
There are three main types of skin cancer:
Melanoma
- The most dangerous types of skin cancer
- Develops in the melanocytes, the cells that produce the pigment melanin.
- It is often caused by excessive sun exposure or sunburns
- In a few cases, genetic factors and family history may also increase the risks
- Its most common symptom is the appearance of a new mole or an existing mole that changes its shape or structure.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
- The least aggressive form of skin cancer
- Develops in the basal cells, present in the outermost layer of the skin
- Primarily caused by long-term exposure to UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds
- Symptoms include brown scar-like lesions and bleeding or scabbing sore that heals and recurs
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Develops in the squamous cells present in the middle layer of the skin
- Occurs mainly in people with fair skin due to prolonged sun exposure
- Can also develop in burns, scars or areas of skin with long-term skin inflammation
- Symptoms include scaly, crusted or ulcerated lesions that bleed or a firm red nodule
ABCDE of Melanoma
ABCDEs are the five early warning signs of melanoma that appear on the skin. These include the following:
- A for Asymmetry
- B for Border
- C for Colour
- D for Diameter
- E for Evolving
A normal mole is symmetrical with equal halves. A mole with an irregular shape or two halves that look distinctly different could indicate melanoma.
A normal mole has a well-defined border with sharp edges. A mole with a poorly defined, scalloped, or irregular border could signify melanoma.
A normal mole will have a uniform colour throughout, either black or brown. If a mole has many colours, different shades, or an uneven distribution of colour, then it’s a sign of melanoma.
If you find a new mole growth or an existing mole that is 6 millimetres or more in diameter or more than the circumference of a pencil eraser, it could be a sign of melanoma.
If a particular mole has changed its size or shape since your last examination or is growing and exhibits symptoms of bleeding and itching, it could be a sign of melanoma.
Why should you have Regular Skin Checks and Screenings?
Regular checks and screening at our skin cancer clinic in Melbourne can help save your life. Skin checks are essential as they can give your doctor an idea of your overall health. Skin checks aren’t just about screening for cancer, but also allow your doctor to check for skin conditions, abnormalities, and overall health. Problems that are 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 of 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 moles that may change.
Sometimes, people ignore smaller skin problems, which can get worse if left untreated. If you have any concerns about your skin, you should get it checked at our clinic in Melbourne to identify and treat any skin conditions. Many skin conditions can alter and damage the skin, making 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 status by The Skin Cancer College Australasia (SCCA). Doctors with this accreditation have completed significant additional study, proven their skills in the diagnosis and management of skin cancer, and passed many assessments.
How do you do a Skin Self-exam for Skin Cancer?
Here are the ways to conduct an effective home skin self-exam to detect cancerous moles, as recommended by skin cancer doctors in Melbourne:
- Use a full-length mirror
- Check your palms, forearms, and underarms
- Check your legs, toes, between toes, and feet
- Check your back and buttocks
- Check the neck and scalp
Stand in front of a full-length mirror and examine the back, front, right, and left parts of your body in the mirror. Look for any new or abnormal moles.
Check your underarms and other areas hidden from standard view carefully. Bend your elbows and look at your forearms and palms.
Check the backs of your feet and legs, the soles of your feet, and the spaces between your toes.
Use the handheld mirror to check your buttocks and lower back area thoroughly.
Use a handheld mirror to check your back and scalp. Divide your hair to examine the scalp skin more closely.
Why Choose Our Skin Cancer Clinic for Mole and Skin Cancer Removal
A big part of skin cancer checks is cancer screening. Our skin cancer clinic offers early detection and treatment to ensure minor 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.
The results of any skin cancer screening in Melbourne or biopsy are returned as quickly as possible while still keeping the 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 usually a quick and straightforward procedure. The cancer and a small amount of surrounding healthy tissue are removed, and the healthy tissue is 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.
Who is at risk of skin cancer?
- People with fair skin, light eyes and blond or red hair
- Individuals who use tanning beds
- People with many moles on the body or a weak immune system
- People with a family or personal history of skin cancer
- People with sunburns or excessive sun exposure
How is skin cancer diagnosed?
The skin doctor conducts a detailed skin exam. If a suspicious lesion or mole is found, a biopsy is performed to confirm the diagnosis.
What is a skin biopsy?
A small part, or all of the suspected skin tissue, is removed and sent to the lab for examination. This quick outpatient procedure uses local anesthesia.
Who should get regular screenings?
- Individuals with fair skin, many moles and a family history of skin cancer
- People with changing or evolving moles
- People with excessive sun exposure or tanning bed use
How often should I get screened?
The skin doctor typically suggests annual skin screenings for average-risk patients. Depending on the condition, they may suggest screenings every three to six months for high-risk patients.
What happens during a professional skin examination?
The doctor will examine your entire body, including your nails, scalp, and feet. They may also photograph or map moles to track their changes and suggest a biopsy for suspicious moles to diagnose further.
How can I prevent skin cancer?
- Use broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
- Wear protective clothing, hats and sunglasses
- Do monthly skin checks and annual skin exams
- Avoid tanning beds
- Avoid sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm
