With a higher Ultra Violet light (UV) index, the attractive beaches and outdoor lifestyle, combined with a population predominantly from a European hereditary all contribute. This together with a lack of awareness and nationwide screening program, means many people fail to take preventative measures or attend regular skin health checks.

About two-thirds of skin cancer in Australia is Basel Cell Carcinoma, just under one-third are Squamous Cell Carcinomas and about 1-2% are the rarer but more serious melanoma. Find out more about these types of skin cancers.

This depends on your risk type. We recommend an annual check-up as a minimum although people in a high-risk group will need to come more often, particularly if they have had a skin cancer previously.

Risk factors include skin type, history of sun exposure and age. Having naturally fair skin, prolonged sun exposure and sunburn, particularly in Australia, put you at higher risk and this risk will increase as you get older. A family history of skin cancer or having previously had skin cancer yourself will also put you in this high-risk category.

However, anyone can develop skin cancer at any age so it is important to be aware of your skin and any changes that occur. Having a regular skin health check at intervals suited to your specific circumstances is the best way to monitor any changes on your body.

Fair skin is light in colour, often freckled, sunburns easily or does not tan. Blue, green or grey coloured eyes and red or blonde hair also indicate an overall fair complexion, which simply means your skin does not cope as well when exposed to UV radiation, the main cause of skin cancer.

OZ Skin Cancer Clinics provide an integrated screening, detection, diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer. This is performed by doctors who specialise in managing skin cancer patients using specialised equipment not often available in a GP’s clinic. We can also treat your skin cancer, if detected, on-site without waiting for a referral to a dermatologist meaning a quicker treatment path for you.

We recommend having your first skin health check at age 18. The doctor can then assess what frequency is required for ongoing screening based on your specific skin type, family history and previous sun exposure.

We continue to offer a very affordable skin checks and cancer detection services. The fees for age pensioners are further reduced. Veterans DVA Gold Cards Holders will continue to be fully bulk billed.

If further treatments are required, the cost of these along with any Medicare rebates will be discussed with you at your appointment.

An initial consultation involves a thorough review of your skin including face, neck, torso, arms, legs, even the soles of your feet and in between your toes and fingers. The doctor will closely examine any suspect lesions using a dermascope, an instrument to specifically analyse skin closely to distinguish between benign (safe) or malignant (cancerous) lesions.

OZ Skin Cancer Clinics also uses a state-of-the-art mole mapping service which scans and records images of your skin so that we can compare your skin between visits for variations in mole shape, colour or size; key indicators in detecting the more serious melanomas.

Not commonly. If a skin cancer, particularly a rarer melanoma, has spread to the lymph nodes and other organs, chemotherapy may be necessary. However, with early detection and treatment this can be avoided. Please review our list of common skin cancer treatments.

A more intensive skin check, molemapping is recommended for those with lots of moles or those with a family history of melanoma. If you are unsure whether a molemap would be of benefit, we recommend a skin check at your first consultation. From this, our clinical staff will advise you accordingly. As for a skin check, the molemapping examination involves head to toe screening as so we advise no makeup, fake tan or nail polish be applied before your appointment.