Spot & Mole Checks in Melbourne
Doctor-led assessment of individual moles and concerning skin lesions in Sunshine and Frankston. No referral required.
If you have noticed a new or changing mole, a spot that keeps bleeding or crusting, or a skin lesion that simply concerns you, you do not necessarily need to book a full body skin check.
At The Mole Clinic, our Spot & Mole Check is designed for assessment of one or a small number of specific lesions. Your doctor will examine the area and use dermoscopy where appropriate to assess the lesion more closely.
With clinics in Sunshine and Frankston, you can book directly without a referral.
What is a spot or mole check?
A spot or mole check is a focused appointment for assessment of an individual skin lesion or a small number of specific concerns.
You might book because you have noticed a mole changing, developed a new spot or have a lesion that repeatedly bleeds, crusts, becomes irritated or does not heal.
Your doctor will assess the lesion and consider factors such as its appearance, history, any changes you have noticed and your individual skin cancer risk.
If appropriate, a dermatoscope will be used to examine the lesion in greater detail.
Who may benefit from a spot or mole check?
A spot check may be appropriate if you:
Have noticed a new mole or skin lesion
Have a mole that has changed in size, shape or colour
Have a spot that looks different from your other moles
Have a lesion that repeatedly bleeds or crusts
Have a sore that does not heal
Have a lesion that has become persistently itchy, tender or painful
Have one or a small number of specific spots you would like assessed
You do not need to decide whether a lesion looks like skin cancer before booking.
If something has changed or concerns you, having it assessed is appropriate.
What happens during a spot or mole check?
Your doctor will ask what you have noticed and how long the lesion has been present.
If it has changed, information about when the change began and what you have noticed can be useful.
The lesion will then be examined clinically and with dermoscopy where appropriate.
Your doctor will explain the findings and recommend what should happen next.
Depending on the lesion, this may include reassurance, monitoring, biopsy or treatment.
How is dermoscopy used?
A dermatoscope is a handheld instrument that provides magnification and specialised lighting.
It allows your doctor to examine structures within a skin lesion that cannot be seen as clearly with the naked eye.
Dermoscopy can assist in the assessment of both pigmented and non-pigmented lesions.
It supports clinical assessment but does not guarantee a diagnosis. Some lesions require biopsy and histopathology to establish what they are.
What is the difference between a spot check and a full body skin check?
A Spot & Mole Check focuses on one or a small number of individual lesions.
A Full Body Skin Check involves a systematic examination of your skin more broadly, including areas that can be difficult to examine yourself.
If you have multiple areas of concern, numerous moles, a previous history of skin cancer or other factors that increase your risk, a full body skin check may be more appropriate.
Your doctor can also advise if a broader skin assessment should be considered based on your individual circumstances.
Do you need mole mapping for one concerning mole?
Usually, mole mapping and a spot check serve different purposes.
Mole mapping creates a digital record of the skin and selected lesions that can be used for comparison over time. It can be particularly useful for selected patients with numerous moles, atypical lesions or increased melanoma risk.
If you are concerned about one particular lesion, a focused spot check may be sufficient.
If digital monitoring of a lesion would be useful, your doctor can discuss this with you.
What happens if the spot looks suspicious?
A suspicious lesion does not automatically mean that you have skin cancer.
Depending on the clinical and dermoscopic findings, your doctor may recommend:
No further action
Photography or digital 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 a diagnosis.
The Mole Clinic provides assessment, biopsy and skin cancer treatment within the same clinic where clinically appropriate.
Should you wait to see if a changing mole settles?
If a mole or skin lesion has developed a concerning change, it is better to have it assessed rather than relying on whether it changes again.
Arrange an assessment if you notice a lesion that:
Changes in size, shape or colour
Looks noticeably different from your other spots
Repeatedly bleeds or crusts
Becomes persistently itchy, tender or painful
Develops into a sore that does not heal
Otherwise changes in a way that concerns you
You do not need to wait until a lesion looks dramatic before booking an appointment.
How much does a spot or mole check cost?
Our current spot and mole check fees and applicable Medicare rebates are available on our Services & Fees page.
Keeping our current pricing in one place means you can check the latest fee before booking.
Spot and mole checks in Sunshine and Frankston
The Mole Clinic provides doctor-led mole mapping at two Melbourne locations.
Sunshine
Our Sunshine clinic provides mole mapping and skin cancer checks for patients from Sunshine and surrounding communities across Melbourne's western suburbs.
View Sunshine Clinic
Book Sunshine
Frankston
Our Frankston clinic provides mole mapping and skin cancer checks for patients from Frankston, Frankston South, Mount Eliza, Langwarrin and surrounding Mornington Peninsula and south eastern Melbourne communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral for a mole check?
No. You can book directly with The Mole Clinic without a referral.
Can I book just one mole to be checked?
Yes. Our Spot & Mole Check is designed for assessment of an individual lesion or a small number of specific concerns.
What if I have several moles I want checked?
If you have multiple areas of concern or would like your skin examined more comprehensively, a Full Body Skin Check may be more appropriate.
Does a changing mole always mean melanoma?
No. Moles and other skin lesions can change for different reasons. However, a new or changing lesion should be clinically assessed rather than self-diagnosed.
Will the mole be removed during the appointment?
Not necessarily. A spot check is primarily an assessment appointment. If biopsy or removal is recommended, this may need to be arranged as a separate procedure.
Can you biopsy a suspicious mole at The Mole Clinic?
Yes. Skin biopsies can be performed at The Mole Clinic where clinically appropriate.
Do I need mole mapping for one mole?
Not usually. Mole mapping is generally used when broader digital documentation and monitoring may be useful. Your doctor can advise whether it is appropriate for you.
Book Mole Mapping in Melbourne
The Mole Clinic provides doctor-led assessment of individual moles and concerning skin lesions at our Sunshine and Frankston clinics.
If you have noticed a new or changing mole, a persistent skin lesion or a particular spot that concerns you, you can book directly without a referral.