WHAT IS MELANOMA?
Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer and it can progress quickly. Melanoma diagnosed in its early stage can be successfully treated by surgery. Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common cancer of sun loving people. Unfortunately New Zealand and Australian residents have the highest incidence of skin cancer worldwide.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED A SKIN CHECK?
Check your skin regularly and become familiar with your skin.
If you are at risk of skin cancer, make sure to SCAN your skin. For more information click here for the SCAN Your Skin website.
Current evidence supports early diagnosis and treatment as an effective cure for most of these cancers.
WHEN TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?
If you find something new on your skin, if it is sore, changing or abnormal.
If you are concerned about any spot, mole or lesion.
If you simply seek assurance that your skin spot, spots or moles are okay.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
The clinic offers a comprehensive skin assessment of spots, moles, skin lesions or changes in skin.
The clinic uses modern and advanced technology for body mapping and mole surveillance. The MoleMax digital camera and imaging system gives a 30 times magnification of your spot or mole and stores this digital image for easy future reference.
A theatre for minor surgery offered on site treatment if required.
MySkin works closely with pathologist for quick results and formal diagnosis.
Information is securely stored and accessible to patients and their health providers.
DO I NEED A REFERRAL FOR MY SKIN CHECK?
No, you can make your own appointment with the clinic.
CAN MY HEALTH PROVIDER REFER ME?
Yes, you can ask your health provider to refer you to MySkin.
WHAT HAPPENS IF A SPOT NEEDS TREATMENT?
Different options will be discussed with you. This can be PDT treatment, a biopsy (small sample) or it can be an excision (minor surgery) of the skin lesion.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED COMPLEX TREATMENT?
You will be referred to the appropriate speciality.
MySkin will keep your health provider informed of the diagnosis and treatment.
WHAT SHALL I DO IF I AM CONCERNED ABOUT A SPOT OR FRECKLE?
Make an appointment at MySkin for an assessment.
HOW TO PREVENT SUN DAMAGE TO THE SKIN?
- Be sunsmart and UV alert
- Slip on protective clothing
- Slop on SPF30+ sunscreen
- Slap on a broad brimmed hat
- Seek shade
- Slide on sunglasses
WHAT IS PDT?
PDT is Photodynamic therapy, a procedure used for treating pre-cancerous skin spots and superficial types of skin cancers like actinic keratoses and superficial basal cell carcinomas.
HOW DOES PDT WORK?
PDT utilises photosentising agents, oxygen and light to create a photochemical reaction that selectively destroys pre-cancerous cells.
