Checking for skin cancer
Over 95% of skin cancers can be treated if found early. Most skin cancers are detected by people themselves or by a family member. Skin cancers may not be painful and are more commonly seen rather than felt.
To learn more about checking your skin for the early signs of skin cancer choose from the headings below:
- How to check your skin
- The ABCD of melanoma detection
- Where to get a skin check
- Why the Cancer Council does not endorse skin check services
How to check your skin
It's important to get to know your skin and what is normal for you so changes will be quickly noticed. All Australians, particularly those aged 40 and over, should check their skin regularly.
When checking your skin:
- Make sure you check your entire body as skin cancers can sometimes occur in parts of the body not exposed to the sun, for example soles of the feet, between fingers and toes and under nails.
- Undress completely and make sure you have good light.
- Use a mirror to check hard to see spots, like your back and scalp, or get a family member or friend to check it for you.
You should look for:
- a spot that is different from other spots around it;
- an new or existing skin spot that has changed in size, shape or colour: and/or
- a non-healing sore.
If you are concerned about skin cancer risk or notice anything on your skin that has changed in size, shape or colour or a non-healing sore, see your GP straight away. Your GP can dicuss your skin cancer risk and advise you on your need for medical checks or self-examination.
For more information on skin cancer screening, see the Cancer Council's position statement on screening and early detection of skin cancer.
The ABCD of melanoma detection
Using the ABCD of melanoma detection check spots on your skin for:
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Asymmetry - Look for spots that lack symmetry. That is, if a line was drawn through the middle, the two sides would not match up. |
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Border - A spot with a spreading or irregular edge (notched). |
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Colour - Blotchy spots with a number of colours such as black, blue, red, white and/or grey. |
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Diameter - Look for spots that are getting bigger. |
Where to get a skin check
If you are suspicious of a spot or would like to have your skin checked, there are a number of things you can do.
See your GP - you GP knows your full history, can examine your skin and advise you on appropriate care.
See a specialist - if you would like a second opinion ask your GP to refer you to a specialist such as a dermatologist. A dermatologist is a doctor who has completed additional training to specialise in diagnosing and treating skin disease, including skin cancer.
Skin and mole clinics - the Cancer Council does not endorse any particular skin checking clinics in Western Australia. There are many skin clinics, offering a variety of services and fee arrangements. Skin clinics are usually operated by GPs and some, but not all, offer bulk billing for at least some of their services. Research shows skin cancer clinics may not necessarily offer a higher level of expertise than your family GP. In deciding whether to go to a skin clinic, it is important you find out about the services offered and the expertise of the staff.
What you should expect in a skin check - a thorough skin check should:
- include some consideration of your family history of skin cancer
- consider your personal sun exposure history
- consider your skin type
- require you to strip to your underwear so the GP / Specialist can check your skin
- take between 5 and 10 minutes
Why the Cancer Council does not endorse skin check services
Commercial skin check providers regularly approach Cancer Council for endorsement of their services.
Some of these are GP clinics and are no different than any GP service provider. Cancer Council cannot promote one GP service provider (or group of them) over another.
Secondly, Cancer Council does not have the resources to monitor the quality of service provided by all skin check providers in order to make sound recommendations.
Instead, we provide information that will allow you to make an informed decision about your own choice of skin check provider.
For more information, download the Your guide to skin and mole clinics fact sheet.
