SKIN CANCER CHECKS
Doctor requested follow up
Repeat examination and serial dermoscopic photography of moles and other lesions of interest.
- Dermoscopic photography allows detection of very small changes
- Detection of small changes can support timely management
- Can help rule out skin cancer in low-risk spots
Follow-up photography, also known as serial dermoscopic photography, allows your doctor to monitor changes in skin lesions that look unusual but are at low risk of being skin cancer.
If an atypical (odd-looking) spot shows no signs of change on follow-up photography, it is unlikely to be a skin cancer.
If an atypical spot changes on follow-up photography, this is sometimes an early warning sign of skin cancer which might otherwise have been undiagnosed until later.
Follow-up photography is useful for avoiding multiple and/or unnecessary biopsy procedures, especially in people with many atypical moles. The usual interval between initial examination of a skin lesion and follow-up photography is 3 months.
If you need follow-up photography, your doctor will recommend it when your mole or skin lesion is initially examined.
MBBS, MA (Virtual Comm), Grad Cert Hlth Info, Grad Dip Comp Inf Sci
How it’s done
The doctor, nurse or dermal clinician will identify and rephotograph spots earmarked for follow-up at your last visit.
The doctor will carefully compare the photos against those taken earlier, looking for any signs of suspicious change.
After examining the photos, the doctor will advise you on the most suitable follow-up.
The doctor considers the photographs alongside the examination and your history. A spot looking unchanged is not, by itself, a guarantee that no further investigation is needed.
How to prepare
This isn’t a full body skin check. We only need to examine and photograph specific moles identified by your doctor at a previous visit.
If possible, wear loose-fitting clothing to allow access to the moles of interest
If we are following up on moles on your face, please clean and moisturise your skin, but don’t wear make-up
You might want to make notes about any changes you’ve noticed in the moles of interest since they were last photographed and examined.
Follow-up mole check
Book the follow-up your doctor has requested. This appointment checks specific spots and is not a full-body skin check.
Book a doctor-requested follow-up