Skin Checks Brisbane
Your skin is important and with an alarming number of people in Brisbane being diagnosed with skin cancer each year, it is important to regularly undertake skin checks for the early identification and detection of skin cancer. Melanoma is the 3rd most diagnosed cancer in Greater Brisbane, with 1 in 15 persons being diagnosed.
Why is it important to undertake a skin check?
Skin cancer is a life-threatening disease that can develop, grow and spread rapidly, and for people in Brisbane, being closer to the equator means arguably more exposure to the sun and therefore greater risk of developing skin cancer. It is therefore of vital importance that you become familiar with the moles, freckles and other skin blemishes that you have and regularly conduct a skin check for changes in their appearance or new additions. For areas that are difficult to see, have someone else look at them.
The sooner that skin cancer is identified and diagnosed, the better chance there is to avoid surgery and radiation therapy to treat skin cancer.
When should I visit my Brisbane GP for a skin check?
As soon as your skin checks indicate a change in the appearance of moles, freckles, or skin blemishes including any new additions on your body, you must book an appointment with your doctor immediately. Your doctor will assess and let you know the next steps for treatment if necessary.
Skin cancers can develop very quickly. They can grow and spread in as little as 6 weeks and can become life-threatening if left untreated.
Given your exposure to the sun in Brisbane and wider Queensland, it is highly recommended that you make annual skin checks part of your visit to your doctor.
For peace of mind, a small thing as regular skin checks by your GP can have a significant impact on your health and wellbeing.
Skin Excisions (Removing a Lesion)
At Market Street Medical Practice, our doctors can carry out skin excisions to treat melanoma and non-melanoma skin tumours.
Skin Biopsy
A skin biopsy may be taken by our GP’s for the purpose of closer examination and diagnosis of skin cancers, such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Cryotherapy
Our doctors provide Cryotherapy treatment for the benefit of our Brisbane patients in the treatment of both benign and some malignant skin conditions. Cryotherapy is a non-invasive, quick and effective hyper cooling treatment where liquid nitrogen is applied to sunspots or skin cancers killing the abnormal cells around it. As the skin heals, healthy skin cells will grow where the abnormal skin cells once were.
