Thread: Get those skin spots checked people

x2! don't ask

Originally Posted by Bundalene

Make an appointment at your closest Skin Cancer Clinic and get checked out.

Can I suggest that you do not go to these Skin Cancer Clinics but go and see your GP and get a referral to a specialist.

Some and certainly not all of these clinics use GPs and nurses and do not actually have specialists. If you do choose to use these Clinics please satisfy yourself that they have skin cancer specialists on staff (and they see you) -most do not.

Garry

Originally Posted by Yorkshire_Jon

As a blond fair skinned English bloke living here in Aus (nearly 3 years now) I know next to nothing about this subject, other than slap the cream on and don't get burnt.

I do have lots of brown freckly things, most of which I've had all my life, I do note though that I'm getting more of them whilst I'm here, but thats maybe an age thing??? None of which look nasty to me but like I say, I'm not sure I'd know a nasty from a goody!

So, after reading previous posts of caution, where do I go to get checked, local GP or some specialist?

Thanks
Jon

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Interesting to see the different answers to your question. All correct for the individual experience.
Also interesting that I just happened to have some raw statistics pass over my desk last night comparing GP, Skin cancer clinic, dermatologist and plastic surgeon with their pre surgical diagnosis and the pathologists diagnosis of the removed sample and also the number of innocent ones taken off possibly unnecessarily. The plastic surgeons came out on top then the dermatologists and then depending on the category of cancer it was a toss up for the cancer clinic or GP. In some areas the GPs were better in others the cancer clinic was. I strongly suspect that the plastic surgeons look better than they are because a lot of the patients would have been referred to them with an established diagnosis from these other medical groups. Some GPs are just spot on with skin cancer others are hopeless so get to know them before you trust them. Some come to be a GP with a wealth of surgical experience.

The truth is that technology can only help so far and you rely on the ability experience and wisdom of whoever you choose to see and they may get it wrong but chance is they will get it right and manage you in a very safe way. I would suggest that if you have a good relationship with your GP then you can ask about their skin cancer expertise and if they are offering removal ask them about their surgical expertise too. Many will be second to none others not so good. Same with the skin cancer clinics. They are not specialists rather GPs who are looking for something a lot easier & that pays better than the grind of everyday family medicine. They do obtain experience if they have been doing it long enough and there are now various skin cancer courses that they may do but nothing like speciality training. If what either of these tell you does not add up then ask to see a dermatologist or plastic surgeon but expect to pay big time for the privilege.

OK bit of waffle but it is a grey political & contentious area in medicine!

Ok, thanks for the replies. Seems like it may not be quite so simply as popping along to my GP and getting good advice may be a bit of a lottery to the unwise. Ive only been to a GP once since I arrived here (& then that was cos the mrs was sick of me coughing during the night!!) so its a bit of a stretch to suggest I have any great relationship with them!

So, I need to get checked, for peace of mind.

Im based in North Sydney and go into the CBD every day. Can anyone recommend someone 'good' fairly close to me?

Thanks
J

i go to mole scan here in w.a. some years its twice a year some years it is only once a year so far they have removered 2 cancerous moles and i will go on going to them regardless of what anyone says its my life and i want to live for as long as i can

Most of us descend from the northern hemisphere and so it seems our skin is not really suited for the climate that we now live in.
As kids in the sixties we spent all summer swimming, if we weren't in the water we were laying the sun.....with maybe a bit of zinc cream on our noses to reduce the burn.
Nobody was really aware of the dammage that was being done.


Cheers, Mick.

Yep, I had one removed last year from the V in a v-necked polo shirt location on the chest, which results from years of playing tennis. Went to the GP who took a sample and got it tested. Came back carcinogenic. The piece removed was twice the size of what was visible on the surface. So don't delay - get it tested.