DR KRISTINA DENNETT

SKIN CHECKS

A Happier, Healthier You

The doctor will take a medical history on your first visit to identify your risk of developing skin cancer. Referrals are not required but it's adviseable to bring a medication list and or a health summary 

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You will be asked to undress down to underwear for a full body check. If there is anything hidden by underwear that you are concerned about please tell the doctor.

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Hairdressers play a pivotal role with many head and neck skin cancers identified by the hairdresser.

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The doctor will discuss any procedures that he/she thinks are necessary and appointments can be made with reception

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Women are advised not to wear makeup on that day as makeup wipes still leave a residue making diagnosis more difficult.

SKIN EXCISIONS

Quality Care

The doctor will identify skin lesions for removal where clinically indicated. Thankfully most moles are benign and don't need removal.

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The skin lesion is marked out with a marker pen and local anaesthetic is injected under the skin to numb the region. The skin lesion is surgically removed and sent for histological diagnosis. The surgical wound is repaired with sutures in an ellipse, wedge, flap or graft repair. It is recommended that the wound remain clean and dry for the entire time the sutures are in.

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Sutures are required to stay in for between 7 and 14 days. In general if the sutures are removed too early, the wound may be prone to breaking open or the scar may stretch. If sutures are removed too late the scar tends to be more obvious with a train tracking appearance.

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Excision sites under excessive tension can sometimes require a layered closure with dissolvable sutures being placed under the skin. These sutures will dissolve themselves after 2-3 months.

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The doctor will explain the histological results when the sutures are removed and advise if any further management is required

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Larger or more complicated skin cancers may require referral to a specialist dermatologist, plastic surgeon or radiation oncologist for treatment. 

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OTHER TREATMENTS

Here For You

Not all skin cancers have to be excised. Sun damaged skin and some early skin cancers can sometimes be managed with topical therapies including Cryotherapy, Efudix, Aldara, photodynamic therapy and laser surgery.

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The doctor will discuss these options if your skin damage can be treated this way.