Rochedale Family Practice
Preparing for a skin check
Simple steps to help you prepare for a skin examination and understand what may happen during your appointment.
This guide provides general appointment information. It does not diagnose skin cancer or replace clinician examination.
Choosing an appointment
- Book a focused appointment for one specific spot.
- Book longer or call reception for several areas or a broader examination.
- Tell your clinician about any spots hidden by clothing or not easily visible.
A procedure is usually arranged separately after assessment.
Before your appointment
- Note which spots or areas concern you.
- Record when changes were first noticed.
- Bring previous skin pathology reports or photographs showing change if available.
- Bring a current medication and allergy list.
- Wear clothing that can be removed or adjusted easily.
- Avoid heavy makeup or cosmetic products over concerning spots where practical.
- Mention nail polish only if the concern involves a nail or surrounding skin.
- Tell the practice if mobility, privacy, cultural or communication needs require additional support.
During the examination
- Your clinician will ask about your concern and skin history.
- The skin is examined visually, and a dermatoscope may be used.
- The clinician may recommend monitoring, treatment, biopsy, excision, referral or no immediate intervention.
- A same-day procedure is not guaranteed and is usually arranged separately.
Procedure and results
- Attend any planned monitoring, result, procedure or referral appointment.
- Call if you are unsure how results or follow-up will be communicated.
- New or changing lesions should still be assessed between routine checks.
- Read the wound-care guide if you have a biopsy or excision arranged.
Seek earlier assessment
- A lesion is rapidly changing.
- A spot is repeatedly bleeding.
- A sore is persistently ulcerated or not healing.
- A lesion has concerning symptoms or is causing significant concern.
- You are unsure whether to wait for a routine appointment.
Spots or areas I want checked
Preparing for a skin check
Simple steps to help you prepare for a skin examination and understand what may happen during your appointment.
For patients arranging a GP appointment for a skin concern or broader skin examination.
This guide provides general appointment information. It does not diagnose skin cancer or replace clinician examination.
Key Actions
What to do
- Book a focused appointment for one specific spot.
- Book longer or call reception for several areas or a broader examination.
- Tell your clinician about any spots hidden by clothing or not easily visible.
- Do not wait for a routine check if a lesion is rapidly changing or repeatedly bleeding.
Care
Before your appointment
- Note which spots or areas concern you.
- Record when changes were first noticed.
- Bring previous skin pathology reports or photographs showing change if available.
- Bring a current medication and allergy list.
- Wear clothing that can be removed or adjusted easily.
- Avoid heavy makeup or cosmetic products over concerning spots where practical.
- Mention nail polish only if the concern involves a nail or surrounding skin.
- Tell the practice if mobility, privacy, cultural or communication needs require additional support.
Activity
During the examination
- Your clinician will ask about your concern and skin history.
- The skin is examined visually, and a dermatoscope may be used.
- The clinician may recommend monitoring, treatment, biopsy, excision, referral or no immediate intervention.
- A same-day procedure is not guaranteed and is usually arranged separately.
Information
What type of appointment should I book?
If you have one specific spot or concern, a focused GP appointment may be appropriate.
For several spots or a broader examination, book longer or call reception. A standard appointment should not be assumed to include a comprehensive skin examination. Procedures are usually arranged separately after assessment.
Information
Reasons to arrange assessment
Consider assessment for a new or changing spot, a lesion that looks different from your others, a sore that does not heal, persistent bleeding, crusting, itching or tenderness, or any spot that concerns you.
These features are prompts to seek care, not a diagnostic checklist. Skin cancer can look different between people, and absence of a listed feature does not rule it out.
Information
Privacy and examination preferences
Your clinician will discuss which areas need examination. You may be asked to remove or adjust clothing only to the extent required and agreed. Privacy and dignity will be maintained.
Please mention lesions in areas that may not otherwise be visible. A chaperone may be requested according to practice arrangements.
Information
What happens during the skin check?
The clinician will ask about your concerns and relevant history, then examine the skin visually. A dermatoscope may be used to view structures not easily seen with the naked eye.
Clinical photographs may sometimes be recommended with consent. The clinician may recommend monitoring, treatment, biopsy, excision, referral or no action. A diagnosis cannot always be confirmed from appearance alone.
Information
If a procedure is recommended
Biopsy or excision is commonly booked separately. Your clinician will discuss the reason, options, expected scar, risks, fees and follow-up. Some lesions may be referred onward.
Tissue may need pathology examination. A procedure should not be considered complete until the result has been reviewed and communicated.
Information
Results and follow-up
Your clinician will explain how monitoring, procedure planning or pathology results will be handled. Attend any planned review, result or procedure appointment.
Information
What a skin check cannot guarantee
A skin examination reduces uncertainty but cannot guarantee that every skin cancer will be detected. Skin can change after your appointment, so continue noticing new or changing lesions and follow individual screening advice.
Contact
When to contact the practice
Seek earlier assessment
- A lesion is rapidly changing.
- A spot is repeatedly bleeding.
- A sore is persistently ulcerated or not healing.
- A lesion has concerning symptoms or is causing significant concern.
- You are unsure whether to wait for a routine appointment.
Follow-Up
After the skin check
- Attend any planned monitoring, result, procedure or referral appointment.
- Call if you are unsure how results or follow-up will be communicated.
- New or changing lesions should still be assessed between routine checks.
- Read the wound-care guide if you have a biopsy or excision arranged.
Next Actions
Next steps
Related
Related patient information
Care at Rochedale
Related care at Rochedale Family Practice
External Resources
Authoritative links
- Skin cancer opens in a new tabCancer Council Australia
Australian information about skin cancer, diagnosis, treatment and support.
- Skin cancer symptoms, risks and screening opens in a new tabCancer Council Australia
Information about symptoms, risk and how often skin checks may be needed.
- Skin cancer opens in a new tabHealthdirect Australia
Australian health information about skin cancer symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
- Early detection opens in a new tabMelanoma Institute Australia
Information about noticing skin changes and early assessment of melanoma concerns.