Skin Cancer Screening in Victoria
Please note Dr Patricia Crow requires a referal from your general practioner.
Getting regular and thorough skin exams can help find skin cancer early which increases treatment options.
Talk to your docotor about a referal to Dr Patricia Crow for skin cancer screening.
Who Should Have a Skin Exam
If you are at a higher risk of getting skin cancer, you should have regular tests. The following are some of the prevalent risk factors for patients:
Skin tone that is lighter
History of sunburn
Eyes of a light colour (especially blue or green)
Skin that is prone to freckles or burns easily
Hair colour: red or blond
Personal history with skin cancer
Family history
There are many moles on the body
Exposure to UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds on a regular basis
Visit a Physician If You Notice Abnormalities
If you've screened yourself and detected any symptoms of skin cancer, consult your physician right away and ask for a referal. The following are a list of concerns for skin cancer:
Alteration to an existing mark or mole
Bleeding, oozing or crusty skin patches or moles
A mole that causes discomfort when touched
A sore that does not heal within four to six weeks
Skin with a gleaming red, pink, transparent or pearly white protrusion
A sore or mole with irregular margins that is prone to bleed
Using the "ABCDE" rule during self-evaluation will help you identify suspicious moles
The ABCDE Rule
The ABCDE rule assists doctors in determining which characteristics distinguish a normal mole from skin cancer.
A stands for asymmetry. One half of a mole is not the same form as the other
The letter B stands for border. A mole's edge is crooked (irregular). It may appear jagged, notched or fuzzy. The colour may extend to the surrounding region of the mole
The letter C stands for colour. A mole's colour does not remain consistent throughout. It might be tan, brown or black in colour. Blue, grey, red, pink and white patches are occasionally seen
The letter D stands for diameter. A mole is bigger than 6mm across, which is roughly the size of a pencil eraser
The letter E stands for evolution. There has been a change in colour, size and form of the mole
How Is Skin Screening Done
During a skin inspection Dr Patricia Crow will thoroughly examine the whole surface of your skin, paying specific attention to regions of skin that have been exposed to the sun. The goal of a skin inspection is to identify early ann areas of concern for skin cancer. w
Approximately 85 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers grow on parts of the body, often exposed to sunlight. However, 20% of melanomas develop on skin that isn't always exposed to the sun. That is why it is critical to examine all of your skin.