Blog Layout
Detecting skin cancer early can mean a matter of life or death. Skin cancer check-ups should be an annual event for all Australians. While protection from the sun is important, it is the regular check-up that will ensure an innocent mole or blemish isn’t something more sinister.
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. A trifecta of harsh sunlight, an outdoors lifestyle and a majority of the population from European descent leaves statistics that speak for themselves:
While skin cancer is mainly detected in people with fair skin, anyone can get skin cancer at any age and not just in areas of the skin exposed to the sun. People who have a family history of skin cancer, particularly melanoma, are at a higher risk. So too are those who have spent a lot of time in the Australian sun, either for work or pleasure.
A skin check can take as little as 15 minutes to complete. The doctor will review your skin and closely examine any suspect moles using a dermatoscope, an instrument to specifically help distinguish between benign (safe) or malignant (cancerous) lesions. If a suspect lesion is detected this may be dealt with on the spot using a liquid nitrogen gun. Or, a biopsy may be taken to be sent away for testing. In most cases though you’ll be given the all clear.
A skin check is recommended every 12 months. Oak Road Family Practice perform skin cancer screening in our Kirrawee clinic. We also have an onsite pathology to enable a quick diagnosis on any biopsies taken. To book you skin cancer screening please call us on 02 9521 1790 or book an appointment online.
Sources:
* Cancer Council Australia. Available at http://www.cancer.org.au/about-cancer/types-of-cancer/skin-cancer.html
** Australian Institute of Health & Welfare https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/skin-cancer-in-australia/contents/table-of-contents
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. A trifecta of harsh sunlight, an outdoors lifestyle and a majority of the population from European descent leaves statistics that speak for themselves:
- Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by age 70 *
- More than 750,000 people are treated for skin cancer in Australia each year *
- 1,770 Australians were estimated to have died from melanoma in 2016 **
While skin cancer is mainly detected in people with fair skin, anyone can get skin cancer at any age and not just in areas of the skin exposed to the sun. People who have a family history of skin cancer, particularly melanoma, are at a higher risk. So too are those who have spent a lot of time in the Australian sun, either for work or pleasure.
A skin check can take as little as 15 minutes to complete. The doctor will review your skin and closely examine any suspect moles using a dermatoscope, an instrument to specifically help distinguish between benign (safe) or malignant (cancerous) lesions. If a suspect lesion is detected this may be dealt with on the spot using a liquid nitrogen gun. Or, a biopsy may be taken to be sent away for testing. In most cases though you’ll be given the all clear.
A skin check is recommended every 12 months. Oak Road Family Practice perform skin cancer screening in our Kirrawee clinic. We also have an onsite pathology to enable a quick diagnosis on any biopsies taken. To book you skin cancer screening please call us on 02 9521 1790 or book an appointment online.
Sources:
* Cancer Council Australia. Available at http://www.cancer.org.au/about-cancer/types-of-cancer/skin-cancer.html
** Australian Institute of Health & Welfare https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/skin-cancer-in-australia/contents/table-of-contents
You may also be interested in reading...
Relocating from Sutherland Family Practice
If you have symptoms of Covid-19 and have been tested either through your local doctor, or a designated Covid-19 testing clinic, you must self-isolate until either advised by your doctor or you receive a SMS message from NSW Health Pathology advising you of the result of your test. Over the last few weeks, there have been an increase of positive Covid-19 cases confirmed as a result of people not affectively self-isolating from the time they go for the test, to when their results have been received. NSW Health has released a self-isolation guidelines document for people suspected to have Covid-19 and what process they should take to eliminate any potential spread of the virus. It covers common questions, such as: How long do I need to remain in isolation? What symptoms should I be monitoring? Am I allowed to go to work or school? Can I have visitors to my home? Can I go out in the garden? How do I separate myself from the home? When should I wear my mask? Do the members of my household need to also isolate? As well as tips for you and your family to help cope with home isolation. Click here to view the NSW Health Self-isolation Guidelines.
We would like to introduce you to our two newest Doctors who will soon commence at Oak Road Family.