HAVE A PROFESSIONAL SKIN CHECK

As mentioned, the skin needs to be examined, beyond the naked eye.

 

Each lesion is checked with a dermatoscope. This is a 10-fold magnification with polarised light (enables us to see into the lesion deeper) and a non-polarised light (sees some of the surface structures better) With the dermatoscope we have 90% accuracy vs 60% by just examining the lesion with a naked eye.

 

Dermoscopic digital imaging helps us with a more detailed study and if necessary higher magnification. Digital imaging is also of value following up those flat pigmented lesions we are not sure about. We then compare those lesions, with a repeat digital image, 3 months later, to see if there is any change or if the lesion is developing melanoma clues.

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Total body photography (TBP) with artificial intelligence (AI) has a place, especially for those who have had a previous melanoma or multiple and atypical moles. There is an extensive research study currently in Australia looking at the value of TBP and AI.

 

It is important to get a professional skin check by a doctor if anything suspicious appears on your skin or if you are higher risk. Talk to your doctor about if and how often you should be getting a skin check.

 

Melanoma is rare before puberty. For this reason, children usually only have their skin examined by a doctor if their parent is concerned about a particular spot or mole

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While teenagers can develop melanoma, their risk is much lower than adults. Regular skin checks by a doctor in adolescence would usually occur when other risk factors are present, such as known genetic mutation or a strong family history.

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