FAQ

Do I need a referral from my GP?

No, you do not need a referral to be seen by one of our doctors. 

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How long is my appointment going to take?

A full body check can take 30 - 40 minutes, while a spot check may take up to 20 minutes. 

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If it is your first time visiting us, please arrive with enough time to fill out paperwork. 

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What does a skin check consist of?

If this is your first time visiting DermaDocs Skin Cancer Clinics, the doctor will start by discussing your personal and family history, including medications, job and exposure to the sun / radiation. Skin cancer can pop up in areas that are not directly exposed to the sun, so please ensure your doctor is aware of concerns you may have about any spots in hidden places.

 

You may be asked to dress down to your underwear. We have both male and female doctors available for your comfort. 

 

Your doctor will then use a dermatoscope to examine your skin closely, taking images of any lesions to keep for future comparison. Using a dermatoscope, your doctor will then look at your body including your face, ears, scalp, neck, chest, arms, back, and legs, between your toes, and the soles of your feet.

 

If necessary and if time permits, your doctor may wish to take a biopsy of any lesions to be sent for pathological testing. This is often to determine whether the lesion is of concern. You may be required to come back to review the results or to have sutures removed.

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What is the difference between a spot check and a full body check?

A spot check is typically done when there is a particular spot or two of concern. For example, if there are visible changes to a mole. 

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A full body check entails a thorough investigation of the whole body. 

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Do you check every mole on my body?

If you have booked in for a full body check, then our doctors will do a thorough investigation on each of the moles. 

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Do you keep photos of my moles?

Yes we do. We keep them for future reference to keep track of any visible changes. These are secured in your patient file.

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Do I have to undress?

This will depend on the areas of concern. It is likely that if you have come in for a full body check, you will be asked to dress down to your underwear. 

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What happens if a suspicious lesion is detected?

If a lesion of concern is detected, your doctor will discuss with you possible options including recommending a biopsy of the lesion to determine a diagnosis or recommending a treatment. 

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Do you undertake biopsies at the same time if needed?

This is often up to your doctor and the extent of the lesion, however, if time permits, we do have the facilities to do the biopsy on-site. Alternatively, another appointment might be made for the biopsy procedure.

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What happens if a skin cancer is found?

Our doctors are able to provide a referral to specialist care if it is required. We will correspond with your regular GP so that you may be referred back to them for ongoing management. 

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When will I be followed up?

This depends on the outcome of your visit. A typical skin review follow up can range from 6 months to 12 months after your last visit. 

 

Following a biopsy or procedure, we usually ask that you return after approximately 2 weeks for a follow up. 

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Are the doctors at Dermadocs dermatologists?

No. Our doctors are general practitioners with interest and extra training in skin cancer detection and minor surgery (i.e. sutures, biopsies). 

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Why should I see a general practitioner rather than a dermatologist?

Dermatologists and other specialists can often have long waiting lists and can often have high costs involved. We have tried to reduce the barriers involved in getting a skin check. 

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Do you do cosmetic procedures?

No, we don't do cosmetic procedures. We are established solely as a skin cancer detection facility and have only recently introduced Sclerotherapy treatments. 

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