What Is a Full Body Skin Cancer Check?
What Is a Full Body Skin Cancer Check?
A full body skin cancer check is a systematic examination of your skin by a doctor to look for suspicious moles, lesions and other signs of skin cancer.
Rather than assessing only one spot that concerns you, a full body skin check examines your skin more broadly, including areas that can be difficult to see yourself. Dermoscopy is used where appropriate to examine individual lesions more closely.
The aim is to identify lesions that may require further assessment while also helping you understand your individual skin cancer risk.
What happens during a full body skin cancer check?
Your appointment will usually begin with a discussion about your skin and medical history.
Your doctor may ask about:
Any new or changing spots you have noticed
Previous melanoma or other skin cancers
Previous biopsies or skin procedures
A family history of melanoma
Your number and type of moles
Previous sun exposure and sunburn
Your skin type
Medical conditions or medications that may affect your skin cancer risk
If there is a particular lesion that concerns you, point it out at the beginning of your appointment.
Your doctor will then systematically examine your skin rather than focusing only on that individual spot.
You can learn more about the service on our Full Body Skin Check Melbourne page.
What areas of the body are checked?
A full body skin check can include areas such as the:
Face and ears
Scalp and neck
Chest and abdomen
Back
Arms and hands
Legs
Feet and soles
The exact examination will depend on your individual circumstances and clinical need.
You will generally need to remove enough clothing to allow the relevant areas of skin to be examined appropriately. Your privacy and comfort should be maintained throughout the examination.
If you have a concerning lesion in an area normally covered by underwear or another sensitive area, tell your doctor so this can be discussed with you.
What does the doctor look for?
A skin cancer check is not simply about counting moles.
Your doctor assesses individual lesions as well as the overall pattern of your skin. They are looking for features that may require closer examination, monitoring or investigation.
Skin cancers can appear in different ways.
Melanoma may appear as a new or changing pigmented lesion, although it does not always follow a typical pattern.
Basal cell carcinoma can appear as a persistent pink or pearly lesion, a sore that does not heal or an area that repeatedly bleeds or crusts.
Squamous cell carcinoma can appear as a thickened, scaly or crusted lesion and may sometimes become tender or grow relatively quickly.
These descriptions cannot be used to diagnose a lesion yourself. If you notice something new, changing or otherwise concerning, medical assessment is appropriate.
How is dermoscopy used during a skin check?
At The Mole Clinic, our doctors use dermoscopy where appropriate to assess individual lesions.
A dermatoscope is a handheld instrument that provides magnification and specialised lighting. It allows structures within a lesion to be examined in greater detail than is possible with the naked eye alone.
Dermoscopy assists clinical assessment, but no examination can guarantee that every skin cancer will be identified. Some lesions may require monitoring or biopsy to establish a diagnosis.
Our skin checks are performed by Australian-registered doctors with additional training and a special interest in skin cancer medicine.
Is mole mapping included in a full body skin check?
A standard full body skin check and mole mapping are separate services.
Mole mapping involves capturing digital images of your skin and selected lesions so that they can be documented and compared over time.
This may be particularly useful for selected patients with numerous moles, atypical lesions or an increased risk of melanoma.
At The Mole Clinic, DermEngine technology is used for digital imaging and longitudinal monitoring where clinically appropriate.
Not every patient requires mole mapping. Your doctor can advise whether it may be useful based on your skin and individual risk.
You can learn more on our Mole Mapping Melbourne page.
Who should consider a full body skin cancer check?
There is no population-wide recommendation that every Australian adult requires a skin check at the same interval.
Your individual risk can be influenced by factors such as:
A previous melanoma or other skin cancer
A family history of melanoma
Numerous moles
Multiple atypical or unusual moles
Fair skin that burns easily
Significant cumulative sun exposure
A history of repeated sunburn
Regular occupational or recreational sun exposure
A weakened immune system
If you are unsure about your individual risk, a skin check also provides an opportunity to discuss this with your doctor.
Regardless of your usual skin check schedule, a new or changing lesion should be assessed rather than waiting for your next routine appointment.
What is the difference between a spot check and a full body skin check?
If you are concerned about one particular mole or lesion, a spot check may be appropriate.
A spot or mole check focuses on an individual lesion or a small number of specific concerns. A full body skin check involves a more comprehensive examination of your skin.
Which appointment is most appropriate depends on your reason for attending and your individual risk factors.
You can learn more about our Spot and Mole Check service.
What happens if something suspicious is found?
Finding a lesion that requires further assessment does not necessarily mean that it is skin cancer.
Depending on the clinical findings, your doctor may recommend:
No further action
Photography or monitoring
Follow-up assessment
A skin biopsy
Removal or another form of treatment
If tissue diagnosis is required, a skin biopsy may be recommended. The sample can then be sent for histopathology to help establish the diagnosis.
The Mole Clinic provides a pathway from skin assessment through to biopsy and treatment where clinically appropriate.
How long does a full body skin cancer check take?
At The Mole Clinic, a standard full body skin check is generally booked as a 15 minute appointment.
The amount of time required can vary depending on your skin, number of lesions, medical history and whether anything requires additional assessment.
You can read more in our guide to how long a full body skin check takes.
How should you prepare?
Very little preparation is required.
Where practical, avoid heavy makeup and fake tan, wear comfortable clothing that is easy to remove and make a note of any particular lesions you want examined.
If you have relevant previous photographs, pathology results or mole mapping records that are not already available to the clinic, bringing them with you may also be useful.
Our guide on how to prepare for a full body skin check explains this in more detail.
How often should you have a skin check?
There is no single interval that applies to everyone.
How often your skin should be professionally examined depends on factors such as your previous skin cancer history, family history, number and type of moles, skin type and sun exposure.
Your doctor can recommend an appropriate follow-up interval based on your individual risk.
You can read more about how often you should get a skin check.
Frequently asked questions
Is a full body skin cancer check painful?
No. The examination itself is non-invasive and should not be painful.
Do I have to remove my clothes?
You will need to remove enough clothing to allow the areas being assessed to be examined properly. Your privacy and comfort should be maintained throughout the examination.
Is mole mapping included?
No. Mole mapping is a separate service and is not required for every patient. Your doctor can advise whether it may be useful for you.
What happens if a suspicious mole is found?
Your doctor may recommend monitoring, photography, follow-up assessment or biopsy depending on the lesion and your individual circumstances.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly with The Mole Clinic without a referral.
Book a Full Body Skin Cancer Check
The Mole Clinic provides doctor-led full body skin cancer checks at our Sunshine and Frankston clinics.
If you have noticed a new or changing lesion, have risk factors for skin cancer or would like your skin assessed, you can book directly without a referral.