A full skin check needs no blood test and no special preparation, yet many people delay it because they are unsure what the examination involves. This guide explains what happens during a full skin check, step by step, so you can walk in knowing what to expect. A GP examines your skin from the scalp to the soles of your feet and looks for spots that are new or changing. For most people the appointment is short and painless.
The examination has a clear purpose. Skin cancer is very common in Australia, and most skin cancers can be seen on the surface long before they cause symptoms. A trained eye and a magnifying light give the GP a good chance of finding them early. Early detection usually means a smaller procedure and a simpler recovery.
Getting ready before the appointment
A little preparation makes the check more thorough. The American Cancer Society recommends a quick self-check first, so you can point out any new spots or any that have changed. You can circle a spot with a pen or take a photo on your phone to help you remember it. Photos with a date also help the GP judge how fast a spot is changing.
Think about what you wear and how you present your skin. Remove nail polish from your fingers and toes, because the GP needs to see the nail beds. Wear little or no make-up so that spots on the face are not hidden. Leave your hair loose and free of heavy styling products, which makes the scalp easier to examine.
Bring any information about past skin problems. If you have had a skin cancer removed before, note where it was and what treatment you received. Tell the GP if a close family member has had melanoma. Wear clothes that are easy to take off and put back on.
Some people feel anxious about undressing in front of a doctor, and that reaction is common. You can mention it at the start, and the GP will explain each step as it happens. If you prefer a GP of a particular gender, ask for this when you book. You can read about the GPs at Dandenong Doctors before you choose.
Some patients like to combine a skin check with other care. Women who are due for other checks can ask about women's health services when they book. Tell the reception team what you need so that the appointment is long enough.
The conversation at the start
The appointment begins with a short discussion. The GP asks about your history in the sun, including any blistering sunburn in childhood or years of outdoor work. They will also ask about previous skin cancers and about skin cancer in your family. These answers help the GP decide how closely to examine you and how often you should return.
This is also your chance to raise concerns. Point out the spots you circled or photographed, and describe what changed. A mole that has become itchy or has started to bleed is worth mentioning, even if it looks minor to you. The GP would rather hear about a spot that turns out to be harmless than miss one that is not.
Undressing and privacy
For a full check, you undress to your underwear. The American Cancer Society notes that exposing as much skin as possible gives the doctor the clearest view, but your comfort and privacy should still be respected. In practice, the GP uncovers and examines one area at a time while the rest of your body stays covered with a gown or sheet. You can ask for a chaperone to be present at any stage.
Sensitive areas are handled with care. The GP should explain what they want to examine and ask your permission before looking at areas such as the breasts or genitals. The American Cancer Society points out that skin cancer is rare on skin that never sees the sun, but it can still occur there. That is why a full check includes a brief look at these areas if you agree.
You can decline any part of the examination. healthdirect describes this right as informed consent, and the doctor should explain the process before starting. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, say so and the GP will pause. A check that covers most of your skin is still far more useful than no check at all.
Head to toe: the order of the examination
Most GPs follow a set order so that no area is missed. The check usually starts at the head. The GP parts your hair to look at the scalp, then examines the face and ears closely, because these areas receive heavy sun exposure over a lifetime. The neck and the skin behind the ears come next.
The examination then moves down the body. The GP checks the chest and abdomen, then asks you to turn so they can see your back. The back is a common site for melanoma in men, and it is also the area people are least able to check themselves. The arms and hands follow, including the palms and the skin between the fingers.
The legs come last. The GP examines each leg from the front and the back, then looks at the soles of the feet. Melanoma in women often appears on the lower legs, so this area gets careful attention. The GP also checks between the toes and under the nails, where some melanomas start.
A closer look with a dermatoscope
Any spot that looks unusual gets a second, closer look. healthdirect explains that the doctor may use a special tool with a light and a magnifying lens for this purpose. The tool is called a dermatoscope. It removes surface glare and shows colours and patterns in the skin that the naked eye cannot see.
Dermoscopy helps the GP tell harmless spots from suspicious ones with more confidence. A benign mole often shows an even, regular pattern under magnification. A melanoma may show irregular structures or several colours in an uneven pattern. The GP compares what they see with the known features of skin cancer, which helps to avoid removing harmless spots without need.
For moles that look slightly unusual but not alarming, the GP may take a photograph. A second photo at a review visit, often three months later, shows if the spot has changed. Change over time is one of the most important signs, and the article on melanoma warning signs and the ABCDE rule explains why.
What the GP is looking for
The GP looks for more than melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma, the most common skin cancer, often appears as a pearly lump or a pink patch that does not heal. Squamous cell carcinoma tends to be a firm, scaly spot that grows over weeks or months and may be tender. Both are common in people with years of sun exposure.
The GP will also note sunspots, known medically as solar keratoses. These are rough patches caused by sun damage, and they may be red or the same colour as your skin. A small number can develop into squamous cell carcinoma over time, so the GP may suggest treatment. Freezing with liquid nitrogen is a common option for isolated sunspots.
Many of the spots the GP sees are harmless. Seborrhoeic keratoses, for example, are warty brown growths that become more common with age. They can look alarming but are not cancerous. Part of the value of a skin check is knowing which spots need no action at all.
Talking through the results
At the end of the examination, the GP explains what they found. According to healthdirect, the doctor will talk about the results with you and explain the next step if a biopsy is needed. Often, no spot needs any action. The GP then recommends when you should return for the next check.
Some results call for monitoring instead of removal. The GP may record a spot with a photo and ask you to return in a few months for comparison. Other spots call for a sample. healthdirect notes that the GP may remove a suspicious spot or take a small sample for laboratory testing. In some cases the GP will refer you to a dermatologist.
Ask questions if anything is unclear. You should leave the appointment knowing which spots, if any, need follow-up and when your next check is due. It can help to write this down before you leave the room.
If a biopsy is needed
A biopsy is a small procedure done under local anaesthetic. DermNet describes several types of skin biopsy, each suited to a different kind of lesion. A shave biopsy removes a thin slice from the surface. An excision biopsy removes the whole lesion with a margin of normal skin, which gives the pathologist the complete picture.The risks are low. DermNet notes that allergy to local anaesthetic is extremely rare. A brief faint, called a vasovagal reaction, is more common, so tell the GP if you feel light-headed. Scars on the chest or back can stretch more than scars elsewhere, especially if stitches are removed too early.
Some biopsies are done at the same visit, while others are booked for a separate appointment. The tissue goes to a pathology laboratory, and results usually come back within about a week. The guide to skin lesion and mole removal in Dandenong covers the procedures and aftercare in more detail
Questions worth asking your GP
A skin check is a good time to learn more about your own skin. Ask the GP which spots they would like you to watch, and what change would mean you should come back early. If you have many moles, ask how you can tell a normal variation from a sign that needs attention. Clear answers make your own monthly checks far more useful.
You can also ask about your personal risk level. The GP can explain how your skin type and history affect your risk. This helps you decide how often to book and how strict your sun protection needs to be. People who work outdoors may also want advice on protecting their skin during working hours.
After the appointment
Keep a simple record after each check. Note the date and the result. Add any spots the GP asked you to watch. Store any photos in one folder on your phone so you can compare them later. This record helps any GP who sees you in future, not only the one who did this check.
Use the result as a guide for your sun habits. A check that finds sun damage, such as sunspots, is a sign that your skin has had a lot of UV over the years. Sunscreen and a broad-brimmed hat both reduce further damage. None of these steps replace regular checks, but they do lower your future risk.
How long the check takes
The time needed depends on your skin. A person with few moles and no history of skin cancer may need only a short examination. A person with many moles, or a past melanoma, needs more time for the GP to assess each spot carefully. If a biopsy is done at the same visit, allow extra time for the procedure and wound dressing.
How often to come back
The right interval depends on your personal risk. People with a history of skin cancer or many unusual moles may need checks every six months. Others at lower risk may only need an occasional check, along with regular self-examination. The page on skin cancer checks in Dandenong explains who is at higher risk and why.
Between visits, keep an eye on your own skin. Check it once a month in good light, using a full-length mirror and a hand mirror for your back. Book an earlier appointment if a spot changes or bleeds. Do not wait for the next routine check if something worries you.
Booking at Dandenong Doctors
Full skin checks are part of routine general practice at Dandenong Doctors, and you do not need a referral. Details of the skin cancer check service are on the clinic website. When you book, mention that you want a full skin check so enough time is set aside. Ask the reception team about bulk billing and any out-of-pocket costs for procedures.
A full skin check asks for a short appointment and a little trust. In return, it gives a trained doctor the chance to see changes you might never notice on your own back or scalp. The first visit is often the hardest, and each one after it becomes easier.