Full Body Skin Checks in Melbourne
Doctor-led skin cancer checks in Sunshine and Frankston. No referral required.
A full body skin check is a systematic examination of your skin to identify suspicious moles, lesions and other signs of skin cancer.
At The Mole Clinic, skin checks are performed by Australian-registered doctors with additional training and a special interest in skin cancer medicine. Your doctor will examine your skin, use dermoscopy where appropriate and explain clearly if anything requires monitoring, biopsy or treatment.
With clinics in Sunshine and Frankston, you can book a skin check directly without a referral.
What happens during a full body skin check?
Your appointment will usually begin with a discussion about your skin, individual risk factors and any particular spots that concern you.
Your doctor may ask about previous skin cancers, family history, previous biopsies, sun exposure and other factors that may influence your skin cancer risk.
Your skin is then examined systematically, including areas that can be difficult to see yourself.
Where appropriate, your doctor will use a dermatoscope to examine individual lesions more closely. A dermatoscope provides magnification and specialised lighting, allowing structures within a skin lesion to be assessed in greater detail than with the naked eye alone.
If a lesion requires further investigation, your doctor will explain what has been found and recommend an appropriate next step.
What areas are checked?
A full body skin check may include areas such as your:
Face and ears
Scalp and neck
Chest and abdomen
Back
Arms and hands
Legs
Feet and soles
The exact examination depends on your individual circumstances and clinical need.
You will generally need to remove enough clothing to allow your skin to be examined appropriately. Your privacy and comfort will be considered throughout the examination.
If you have noticed a concerning lesion in an area normally covered by clothing, let your doctor know.
Who should consider a skin check?
There is no single skin check schedule that is appropriate for every Australian adult.
Your individual skin cancer risk may be influenced by factors including:
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
Your doctor can discuss your individual risk and recommend an appropriate follow-up interval.
Regardless of your usual skin check schedule, arrange an earlier assessment if you notice a new or changing lesion.
What changes should you have checked?
You do not need to know whether a spot is skin cancer before making an appointment.
Consider having a lesion assessed if it:
Is new or looks different from your other spots
Changes in size, shape or colour
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
If you are concerned about one particular lesion rather than requiring a full body examination, our Spot & Mole Check service may be more appropriate.
Dermoscopy during your skin check
Dermoscopy is used where appropriate to examine individual skin lesions more closely.
A dermatoscope is a handheld instrument that provides magnification and specialised lighting. This allows your doctor to assess structures within a lesion that cannot be seen as clearly with the naked eye.
Dermoscopy supports clinical assessment, but no skin examination can guarantee that every skin cancer will be detected. Some lesions may require photography, monitoring or biopsy to establish a diagnosis.
What if a suspicious lesion 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 digital monitoring
Follow-up assessment
A skin biopsy
Removal or another form of treatment
If a biopsy is required, the tissue is 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, providing continuity from detection through to treatment.
Skin check or mole mapping?
A full body skin check and mole mapping are related but different services.
A skin check involves a clinical examination of your skin by a doctor.
Mole mapping adds digital imaging to document your skin and selected lesions for comparison over time.
At The Mole Clinic, we use DermEngine technology for digital skin imaging, mole mapping and longitudinal monitoring where clinically appropriate.
Mole mapping may be useful for selected patients with numerous moles, atypical lesions or an increased risk of melanoma. It is not required for everyone.
How long does a full body skin check take?
At The Mole Clinic, a standard full body skin check is generally booked as a 20 minute appointment.
Some patients may require additional assessment depending on their skin, number of lesions, medical history and what is identified during the examination.
How much does a skin check cost?
Our consultation fees and applicable Medicare rebates are available on our Services & Fees page.
This page contains our current pricing for full body skin checks, spot checks, mole mapping and procedures.
Our Melbourne skin cancer clinics
The Mole Clinic provides doctor-led skin cancer checks from two Melbourne locations.
Sunshine
Our Sunshine clinic provides skin checks for patients from Sunshine and surrounding communities across Melbourne's western suburbs.
View Sunshine Clinic
Book Sunshine
Frankston
Our Frankston clinic provides skin 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 skin check?
No. You can book directly with The Mole Clinic without a referral.
Is a full body skin check painful?
No. The examination itself is non-invasive and should not be painful.
Do I need to remove my clothes?
You will need to remove enough clothing to allow the relevant areas of your skin to be examined properly. Your privacy and comfort will be considered throughout the examination.
Does everyone need an annual skin check?
No. There is no single interval appropriate for everyone. How often you should have your skin checked depends on your individual skin cancer risk and clinical circumstances.
Is mole mapping included in a standard skin check?
No. Mole mapping is a separate service that adds digital imaging and longitudinal monitoring. It may be useful for selected patients.
What happens if something suspicious is found?
Your doctor will explain the findings and recommend an appropriate next step. This may include monitoring, follow-up, biopsy or treatment.
Book a Full Body Skin Check in Melbourne
The Mole Clinic provides doctor-led full body skin checks at our Sunshine and Frankston clinics.
No referral is required.
If you have noticed a new or changing lesion, have risk factors for skin cancer or would like your skin assessed, choose your preferred clinic below.