Most skin cancers begin as a small, painless spot that looks harmless to the person who has it. Cancer Council Australia reports that at least two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer during their lifetime. That is why skin cancer checks in Dandenong are a normal part of general practice and not a specialist extra. A GP who examines your skin at regular intervals has a good chance of finding change early, when treatment is usually simpler.
The check itself is simple. A GP examines your skin from scalp to feet while the rest of your body stays covered. Any spot of concern then gets a closer look under a handheld magnifying light. The appointment is usually short, and for many people it brings reassurance about spots they have worried over for months.
Why Australia has such a high rate
Australia's skin cancer burden comes from two factors working together. Much of the population has fair skin, and the country receives high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation because of its position close to the equator. The same Cancer Council data shows that Australia had the highest age-standardised melanoma incidence rate in the world in 2020. Melanoma rates here are about two to three times higher than in North America or the United Kingdom.
The scale shows up in everyday health data. Cancer Council Australia reports that nearly one in three Australians living with cancer in 2017 to 2018 had skin cancer. That made it the most common type of cancer in the country. For a GP clinic, skin checks are therefore one of the most frequent preventive tasks in any week.Melbourne's cooler weather can give a false sense of safety. UV radiation is not heat, so you can burn on a mild, cloudy day in spring. In Victoria, UV levels commonly reach 3 or above from mid-August to the end of April. At that level, unprotected skin starts to take damage that adds up over many years.
Skin cancer falls into two broad groups. The keratinocyte cancers, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), are the most common forms. Most respond well to treatment when they are found early. Melanoma is less common but more dangerous, because it can spread to other organs if it is left to grow. A GP checks for both groups during the same examination.
Dandenong is one of the most culturally diverse communities in Victoria, and skin cancer risk differs between skin types. People with darker skin have a lower overall risk, but the risk is not zero. When melanoma does occur in darker skin, it often appears on areas that get little sun, such as the soles of the feet or the skin under the nails. These cancers are often found late, so a check still has value for every skin type.
Skin type also changes how damage shows up. Fair skin tends to burn and freckle, while olive skin may tan without obvious burning. Both types still build up UV damage over time. A GP looks at the pattern of sun damage on your skin as part of judging your overall risk.
Who should book a regular check
Some people carry a higher risk and benefit from closer monitoring. A personal history of skin cancer is one of the clearest risk factors. A parent or sibling with melanoma also raises your risk. So does a large number of moles, or moles that look unusual in shape or colour.
Your history in the sun matters as well. People who work outdoors, such as tradespeople and gardeners, receive far more UV exposure than people who work indoors. Blistering sunburn in childhood increases lifetime risk. Fair skin that freckles or burns easily adds to the picture.
Health direct advises that people at risk of melanoma check their own skin every three months and have a full skin check with their doctor every six months. The same page links to an online calculator that estimates your personal melanoma risk. People at average risk may need checks less often, and a GP can advise on a sensible interval. The right schedule depends on your history, not on a fixed rule.
A skin check also fits well with other preventive care. If other tests are also due, you can ask about health screening at Dandenong Doctors and plan them together. Grouping these checks saves time and keeps your records in one place. It also gives the GP a fuller picture of your health
Outdoor work and local lifestyles
Many people in Dandenong and the surrounding suburbs work in construction or landscaping. Much of that work takes place outside or moves between indoor and outdoor areas during the day. Short periods in the sun add up over a working life, even when each one feels too brief to matter. Workers who spend a large part of the day outside should treat a regular skin check as part of their normal health care.
Weekend habits count too. Weekend sport and time in the garden both add to your total UV exposure. A person who works indoors but spends every weekend on a sports field may have more exposure than they think. When you see a GP, describe your usual week, so they can judge your risk more accurately.
What happens in the consulting room
The GP starts with a few questions about your history. Expect questions about your sun exposure and your family history. The GP will also ask about any spot that has changed or that worries you. These answers help the GP decide how closely to look and how often you should return.
Next comes the physical examination. You undress to your underwear, and the GP examines one area at a time so the rest of your body can stay covered. Hard-to-see places such as the scalp and the backs of the legs get the same attention as your face and arms. You can say no to any part of the check, and healthdirect notes that the doctor should explain the process before starting.
For spots that need a closer look, the GP uses a dermatoscope. This is a handheld tool with a light and a magnifying lens that shows patterns below the surface of the skin. The GP may also photograph a lesion so it can be compared at the next visit. For a step-by-step account, read the guide on what happens during a full skin check.
Warning signs to watch for between visits
Most moles stay the same for years. A spot that changes is the one that deserves attention. Melanoma often shows as a new mole, or as an existing mole that changes in shape or colour. Doctors use a memory aid to describe these features, and the article on melanoma warning signs and the ABCDE rule explains each one in detail.
Non-melanoma skin cancers look different. A BCC often appears as a pearly or shiny lump, or as a red patch that does not heal. An SCC tends to be a thick, scaly spot that may grow over weeks and feel tender to touch. Any sore that keeps bleeding and does not heal within a few weeks should be seen by a GP.
A useful habit is to compare each mole with the others on your body. Most people have moles that look broadly alike. One that looks different from the rest, sometimes called the "ugly duckling", is worth showing to a doctor even if it seems minor. This simple comparison often picks up changes that a single glance would miss.
Why early detection changes outcomes
Stage at diagnosis has a large effect on what happens next. The Australasian College of Dermatologists reports that five-year relative survival for melanoma found at Stage I is close to 100 per cent. For melanoma found at Stage IV, after it has spread, that figure falls to about 26 per cent. The gap between those two numbers is the main argument for regular checks.
Early detection also matters for the common non-melanoma cancers. A small BCC found early can often be removed in a short procedure with a small scar. A large BCC left for years may grow into deeper tissue and need more complex surgery. The same principle applies to SCC, which can occasionally spread if it is ignored.Age does not reduce the need for checks. The College notes that melanoma incidence rises with age and peaks between 85 and 89 years. Older patients should keep skin checks in their routine long after retirement. Family members who care for an older relative can help by watching the areas that person cannot see.
If a spot needs removal or testing
When a GP finds a spot that looks suspicious, the next step is usually a biopsy. This means the GP removes all or part of the spot under local anaesthetic and sends it to a pathology laboratory. The pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope and reports what it is. Many biopsies show a harmless lesion, and the result still gives you a clear answer.
Some lesions are removed in full at the first procedure. This is common for a suspected melanoma, because the pathologist needs the whole lesion to measure its depth. The article on skin lesion and mole removal in Dandenong explains the procedure and the recovery in more detail.
If the result shows a skin cancer that needs specialist care, the GP will refer you to a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon. The GP stays involved in your ongoing care and coordinates follow-up checks. Patients who have had one skin cancer are at higher risk of another. For this reason, the check schedule usually becomes more frequent after a diagnosis.
Skin apps and home monitoring
Phone apps that photograph and assess moles have become popular. Some can help you keep a dated record of your skin, which is useful for spotting change. Their ability to tell a melanoma from a harmless mole varies, and none replace an examination by a doctor. Use photos as a memory aid, and let a GP make the judgement.
Protecting your skin between checks
Sun protection lowers the chance of new damage at any age. Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of SPF 50 or higher, and reapply it every two hours when you are outside. Wear a broad-brimmed hat and close-fitting sunglasses. Plan outdoor tasks for early morning or late afternoon, when UV levels are lower.Shade and clothing do more work than many people expect. A shirt with long sleeves and a collar protects skin that sunscreen often misses. Shade from trees or a shelter reduces exposure, though reflected UV still reaches your skin. Children need the same protection, because sunburn in early life adds to lifetime risk.
Self-checks add a second layer of protection between visits. Once a month, look at your skin in good light with a full-length mirror, and use a hand mirror for your back. Ask a partner or family member to check areas you cannot see. Take photos of moles you want to watch, and bring them to your next appointment so the GP can compare.
Booking a check at Dandenong Doctors
The GPs at Dandenong Doctors carry out skin examinations as part of everyday general practice. You do not need a referral to see a GP for a skin check. More information about the skin cancer check service is on the clinic website. When you book, ask the reception staff about bulk billing and any out-of-pocket costs for procedures.
A few simple steps make the appointment more useful. Remove nail polish and heavy make-up before you arrive, since skin cancer can occur under the nails and on the face. Write down any spot that has changed, and note how long you have noticed it. If you have had skin cancer before, bring the details of past treatment.
You can book through the Dandenong Doctors contact page or by phone. If a spot is changing quickly or bleeding, ask for an earlier appointment instead of waiting for a routine check. Mention the spot when you call so the clinic can allow enough time.
Skin cancer is common in Australia, yet a spot found early usually needs far less treatment than one found late. A regular check gives a GP the chance to see change while the options are still simple. If a spot on your skin has been on your mind, that is reason enough to book.