SKINCARESPECIALIST
We will provide you with a personalised care plan for your skin requirements
We offer appointments Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm and do our very best to provide you with appointment times that suit your schedule. We always try our best to assist you with an appointment one-the-day if you need to be seen urgently.
Skin Checks
Queensland is often labelled the ‘skin cancer capital of the world’ and has some of the highest rates of skin cancer globally. As GPs, it is imperative to promote the importance of Primary Prevention – i.e. skin cancer prevention. This is considered the most important tool for reducing the risk of skin cancers. Primary prevention has a large focus on sun safety measures such as:
- Protective clothing (hats, long-sleeved/ collared/button-up shirts
- Use of sunscreens (30+ or higher)
- Avoiding the sun during the hottest parts of the day, for long periods and during times of high ultraviolet (UV) radiation
Regular Checks
We advise all patients to have their skin checked regularly. We urge anyone who notices new or changing lesions to see a doctor promptly to have their skin checked. In individuals who have no history of skin cancers, we recommend annual skin examination. Individuals with a history of skin cancer or other risk factors for developing skin cancer are advised to attend more regularly (3-6 monthly). We also encourage skin self-examination and for patients to be mindful of what is normal for them. Again, anyone who notices new or changing lesions should have their skin checked promptly.
Some risk factors for skin cancers include:
- Personal history of skin cancer (melanoma, SCC, BCC, other)
- Family history of melanoma
- Age and sex
- A large number of moles or freckles
- Fair, easy-to-burn skin
- Sun damaged skin
What we do
Mackay City Medical offers thorough skin examination using sequential digital dermatoscopy (imaging/photography). We take the time to inspect your skin from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. The use of digital dermatoscopy incorporates magnification and light to view a mole structure in great detail. The images are reviewed by the doctor for any abnormalities at the time of assessment. Images are saved and successive follow up images are taken after a set period of time (e.g. 12 monthly skin examinations or earlier if any concerns). At future follow up appointments, the saved images are used for comparison and to detect any suspicious change. Sequential digital dermatoscopy is a helpful tool to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures. Abnormal changes are often evident to the doctor and the patient.
