How much will a skin check cost?

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This depends on whether treatments are given as well, which can add on cost (eg liquid nitrogen) but the cost of a 30 min skin check is $150.00.  If you only have a few spots to be checked this will cost $65 

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What happens during a Skin Check?

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You can come and see us for a quick check of any moles or spots that are concerning you or you can book a full body check. 

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A skin check can take 30 minutes. This includes some time for the doctor to ask you questions about your general health. Make sure you tell the doctor about any spots or moles you have which are sore, changing, abnormal or new. The actual check of your skin can take from 5-20 minutes depending on your skin type and the number of moles or spots to be looked at.

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What equipment will the doctor use?

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Your doctor will use a dermatoscope to have a close up/magnified look at any spots of concern. A dermatoscope is a bit like a torch with a magnifying lens attached to the end. Using a dermatoscope is painless. Sometimes the doctor may take a photograph of a spot or a mole so it can be monitored over time for any change in appearance.

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What happens if the doctor finds anything which could be skin cancer?

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Your doctor will tell you straight away if you have any moles or spots which require testing. To test a mole of spot the doctor will either remove it straight away  (see Shave excision), arrange to cut it out (excision) or rarely, biopsy it. This is done under local anaesthetic of course. In most cases another appointment will be made to remove the abnormal more or spot. This type of surgery will be carried out in the doctor’s surgery or office.

 

After it is removed the mole or spot is sent to a pathology laboratory for testing. Receiving the test results can take several days in New Zealand.

 

What happens if a skin cancer is found?

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In most cases, when found early, skin cancer is easily and successfully treated with surgery. Most cancers are cured once they are removed. Other non surgical treatments such as creams cryotherapy or radiotherapy may be used but this will depend on the type of cancer found.

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What happens after a skin check?

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Depending on your level of risk for developing skin cancer, your doctor may recommend regular follow up skin checks. In New Zealand we have a high rate of skin cancer due to our skin type and UV exposure here, so annual skin checks are advisable, but some people require more frequent than this. Wairarapa Skin Clinic have a skin check recall system in place to remind you when you are due.