robina skin cancer care clinic

Knowing when to book a skin check is essential for early detection and effective treatment of skin cancer. If you notice any new or changing spots, lumps, or moles—especially in areas regularly exposed to the sun—it’s time to see your GP. Common warning signs include a mole that changes in size, shape, or colour over time, or a spot that becomes scaly, bleeds, feels tender, or doesn’t heal. 

The ‘ABCDE’ guide can help you monitor your skin at home: 

• Asymmetry, 
• Border irregularity, 
• Colour variation, 
• Diameter over 6mm, and 
• Evolution or visible changes. 

Pay attention to any area that looks or feels different from the rest—often called an “ugly duckling”—as this could be a sign of melanoma. Regular self-checks and professional skin checks are especially important if you have fair skin, a history of sunburn, or a family history of skin cancer. When in doubt, it’s always better to get a suspicious spot checked by a doctor. 

 Skin Cancer Checks

You can book an appointment with experienced GPs who focus on skin cancer detection and care. Whether you're a new visitor or a long-time patient, our team offers a practical and accessible alternative to dermatologist-led checks — with comparable accuracy in skin cancer diagnosis.

What Happens During a Skin Check?

A skin cancer check involves a thorough visual inspection of your skin to identify any moles, marks, or lesions that appear suspicious. Using a specialised handheld tool called a dermatoscope, your doctor can examine the deeper layers of your skin with magnification and polarised light, helping to spot subtle changes invisible to the naked eye.

Not all signs of skin cancer are obvious. Some may appear as an unusual mole, bump, or discolouration, while others might develop silently beneath the skin’s surface. That's why professional tools and trained eyes are essential in detecting issues early.

Skin Imaging & Mole Monitoring

To enhance accuracy, we offer high-resolution skin imaging. With your consent, our doctors can take clinical photographs of specific moles or skin lesions using a dermatoscope and a camera. These images are securely stored in your medical file and used for future comparison.

This process can support a diagnosis and, in some cases, help avoid unnecessary biopsies. However, if further investigation is needed, your doctor will discuss next steps with you, which may include a biopsy or minor surgical removal.

Duration of your appointment 

The length of your appointment depends on the type of skin check or treatment you're booking. To ensure you get the care you need, we recommend informing our reception team of the reason for your visit when making a booking — this helps us allocate the appropriate time.

• Spot Check – 10 to 15 minutes

If you’re concerned about a specific mole or lesion, a short appointment may be all that’s required. This focused check allows our GPs to assess one or two areas of concern using a dermatoscope.

• Comprehensive Skin Check – 20 to 30 minutes

This is a more thorough check, often covering key exposed areas of the body. Ideal for patients with multiple moles or a personal or family history of skin cancer.

• Full Body Skin Check – 30 to 40 minutes

A full-body examination involves assessing your skin from head to toe, including areas not commonly exposed to the sun. You’ll be asked to undress to your underwear. 

• Skin Cancer Diagnosis & Imaging – 15 to 45 minutes

If any suspicious lesions are identified, your doctor may recommend clinical imaging using a dermatoscope and camera. These high-resolution images are stored in your medical record for future comparison and monitoring.

• Minor Skin Cancer Excision – 30 to 60 minutes

Simple procedures to remove a lesion or mole under local anaesthetic may be done during a separate appointment. Time required depends on the size and location of the lesion.

• Complex Skin Cancer Procedures – 60+ minutes

Advanced skin surgery (e.g. flap repairs or excisions in sensitive areas) requires longer appointments and may involve multiple steps. Your GP will advise you if this is needed after your initial consultation.

The frequency of skin checks depends on your personal risk factors. For most people with no history of skin cancer, a full-body skin examination once every 12 months is generally sufficient. However, if you’ve previously been diagnosed with skin cancer or melanoma, more frequent monitoring is often recommended — typically every 3 to 6 months, depending on your doctor’s advice.

Early detection is key, so you shouldn’t wait until your next scheduled check if you notice something new or unusual. If a spot changes in shape, colour, size, or begins to itch, bleed, or crust, it’s important to book an appointment with your doctor straight away — even if your last skin check was clear.

What to Look for Between Appointments

It’s a good idea to regularly examine your own skin, especially if you’ve had high levels of sun exposure or a family history of melanoma. Keep an eye out for:

• Spots or moles that are changing in size, shape or colour
• New lesions that appear suddenly
• Moles that become itchy, tender, scaly or start to bleed
• Lesions that look noticeably different from other spots on your skin ("the ugly duckling")
• Raised or irregular areas that grow quickly over weeks or months
   

There’s no official national guideline that says how often every adult should get checked — instead, the Cancer Council encourages Australians to stay proactive by monitoring their own skin and seeing a GP if anything seems off. Your GP can assess the concern and refer you to a skin cancer specialist if necessary.

For those at higher risk, such as people with a personal or family history of melanoma, fair skin, or significant sun exposure, regular professional skin checks — sometimes supported by imaging or dermoscopy — may be needed every 6 to 12 months. Your doctor can help you create a skin surveillance plan that’s tailored to your risk level.

Protecting your skin from sun damage is the best way to prevent skin cancer, but being aware of your skin and taking action early can make all the difference.

When it comes to diagnosing skin cancer, early detection makes a significant difference. The process usually begins with a thorough skin check by a trained GP with a special interest in skin cancer. If a suspicious mole, freckle or lesion is found, your doctor will use a combination of visual examination, imaging, and sometimes minor procedures to determine whether further treatment is needed. 

•  Initial Skin Examination

The first step is a full-body skin check using a dermatoscope — a specialised tool that allows your doctor to view your skin under magnification and assess lesions in greater detail. While some abnormal spots are visible to the naked eye, many skin cancers develop beneath the surface, making dermoscopic examination essential.

If it's been more than a year since your last skin check, or if you’ve noticed new or changing moles, a non-healing sore, or unusual skin changes, now is the time to book an appointment. Tracking changes over time using clinical imaging can also assist with early detection.

• Biopsy: A Closer Look

If something suspicious is identified, your doctor may recommend a biopsy. This is a simple, in-clinic procedure that involves removing a small piece of skin for further analysis under a microscope. There are different types:

1. Shave biopsy – Removes the top layers of skin
2. Punch biopsy – Removes a deeper, circular sample using a special tool

Both procedures are done under local anaesthetic, are quick and minimally invasive, and you can usually return to your normal activities straight away. The area will be covered with a small dressing, and results are typically available within a few days.

• Excision for Diagnosis and Treatment

If a lesion is clearly abnormal or previously diagnosed as cancerous, your doctor may recommend a full excision. This involves removing the entire mole or lesion, along with a margin of surrounding tissue, to ensure complete removal. The excised tissue is then sent to a lab for analysis.

Stitches will be required, and healing time varies depending on the area:

1. Face, arms, and neck – 7 days
2. Chest and legs – 10 days
3. Back – 14 days

You'll return to your GP for stitch removal and to discuss your results.

• Understanding the Diagnosis

Once your skin sample has been examined by a pathologist, your doctor will contact you to explain the findings. In many cases, the results show benign (non-cancerous) changes. If skin cancer is confirmed, your doctor will outline the next steps, which may include further treatment or monitoring, depending on the type, location, and stage of the cancer.

• Stages of Skin Cancer

If a melanoma is diagnosed, it will be staged based on how far it has spread:

1. Stage 0–II: Early-stage melanoma, often treatable with surgery alone
2. Stage III: Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or tissue
3. Stage IV: Advanced cancer that has spread to distant organs

For non-melanoma skin cancers (like basal or squamous cell carcinoma), the stages follow a similar pattern, with early stages affecting only the top layers of skin, and later stages involving deeper tissues or lymph nodes.

• Next Steps After Diagnosis

Your treatment plan will be personalised, taking into account the type of skin cancer, your overall health, and medical history. In some cases, further surgery or follow-up checks will be necessary. If the cancer is advanced or in a difficult location, your GP may work alongside dermatologists, plastic surgeons, or oncologists for specialised care.

 We offer a wide range of effective treatments for skin cancer, tailored to the type and severity of the lesion, as well as your individual needs. Most procedures can be performed in our clinic, with minimal downtime and high success rates — especially when skin cancer is detected early.

Skin cancer treatment we offer:

• Cryotherapy (Freezing Treatment)

Cryotherapy involves applying liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy abnormal or precancerous skin cells. The extreme cold causes the damaged tissue to blister, peel away, and eventually be replaced by healthy skin. It’s a common treatment for solar keratoses, warts, and benign skin lesions, particularly in sun-damaged skin. The treatment is quick and usually doesn’t require stitches or time off work.

• Curettage (Scraping Technique)

For superficial skin cancers that haven’t spread deep into the skin, curettage is a simple and effective option. Using a small, spoon-shaped tool called a curette, the doctor gently scrapes away the cancerous cells under local anaesthetic. The area is often cauterised (sealed with heat) to stop bleeding and promote healing. A small scar may remain, but recovery is usually fast.

• Surgical Excision

Surgical removal is one of the most common and reliable ways to treat skin cancer. This procedure involves cutting out the lesion along with a small margin of surrounding skin to ensure all cancerous cells are removed. It’s usually done under local anaesthetic in our on-site procedure rooms, and most patients return home the same day. If needed, stitches are placed and removed after about 7–14 days depending on the location of the excision.

• Advanced Skin Surgery & Reconstruction

In cases where the skin cancer is large, complex, or in a cosmetically sensitive area (such as the face), our experienced GPs can perform advanced techniques, including flap repairs and skin grafts, to ensure the best cosmetic and medical outcome. For more complex cases, we work closely with dermatologists and plastic surgeons, including referrals for oculoplastic or specialist care when appropriate.

• Topical Treatments (Prescription Creams)

Certain superficial skin cancers can be treated with prescription creams, such as 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) or Imiquimod, applied directly to the skin. These treatments work by stimulating the immune system or destroying cancerous cells. They’re typically used over several weeks and may cause redness, peeling or irritation during the process — all signs that the treatment is working.

• Radiotherapy (Radiation Treatment)

For skin cancers in delicate or hard-to-operate areas (like the nose, ears, or eyelids), or when surgery isn’t suitable, radiotherapy may be recommended. This involves targeted radiation to kill cancer cells while preserving surrounding healthy tissue. If this is advised, your doctor will refer you to a specialist for coordinated care.

• Melanoma Management

If a lesion is diagnosed as melanoma, your doctor will usually refer you to a melanoma specialist or multidisciplinary team for further assessment and management. This may involve more extensive excision, imaging tests, lymph node checks, or systemic treatments depending on the stage of the melanoma.

What’s Right for You?

The right treatment will depend on:

• The type of skin cancer (e.g. basal cell, squamous cell, melanoma)
• The size and depth of the lesion
• Where on the body it is located
• Whether it has spread
• Your overall health and treatment preferences

Your GP will explain all available options and answer any questions to help you make an informed decision.

 A diagnosis of skin cancer — whether it's basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), or melanoma — can feel overwhelming.  We are here to provide expert, compassionate care through advanced skin cancer surgery techniques delivered by experienced GPs, including Dr Rebecca Ford, who holds a Certificate of Advanced Skin Cancer Medicine and a Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery.

Our clinic offers a convenient and cost-effective alternative to specialist surgical centres, allowing you to access high-quality treatment close to home, with a focus on both clinical outcomes and cosmetic results.

What Is Advanced Skin Cancer Surgery?

Advanced skin cancer surgery involves the careful removal of cancerous skin lesions along with a margin of healthy tissue to ensure complete clearance. For more complex or cosmetically sensitive areas — such as the face, head, neck, and limbs — specialised surgical techniques like local flap repairs or wedge excisions may be used to optimise both function and appearance.

These procedures are often performed under local anaesthetic in our purpose-built treatment rooms, allowing for a comfortable experience and faster recovery.

Surgical Options We Offer

Our skilled GPs offer a range of surgical techniques tailored to your diagnosis and location of the lesion:

• Local Excision: Removal of the skin cancer and a surrounding safety margin of healthy tissue.
• Flap Repair Surgery: A technique where nearby skin with its own blood supply is moved to cover the surgical wound, often used on the face or limbs to preserve appearance and function.
• Wedge Excision: Typically used for lesions on the ear, lip, or other defined structures, this technique helps maintain contour and appearance.

Dr Rebecca Ford brings additional expertise in managing complex skin cancer cases, drawing on her New Zealand medical training and advanced certifications in skin cancer medicine and surgery.

What to Expect

Before Surgery

You’ll attend a thorough consultation to discuss your treatment plan. During this appointment, your doctor will explain the procedure in detail, outline any risks, and answer all your questions. It’s also the perfect time to share your preferences and ensure you're fully informed and comfortable.

After Surgery

Post-operative care instructions will be provided to support a smooth and comfortable healing process. Our team is available to answer any questions you may have during recovery and will schedule a follow-up to check your progress and remove stitches if required.