It is said that prevention is better than cure. While this is true of any illness or disease, the next best thing that is there is early diagnosis. This is especially true when it comes to skin cancer. Given that Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, and that melanoma is the most common form of skin cancer, it makes sense for us in Melbourne to also be alert, and careful about the signs and symptoms of skin cancer. In our earlier blog post, we shared about how you can spot the early signs of skin cancer. And in this blog, we will be discussing the importance of doing a regular mole check at a qualified clinic in Melbourne. A mole check can help determine the presence of melanoma, which is one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer. And the sooner this is done, the higher the chances of avoiding surgery, or in advanced cases, even death!The biggest challenge in detecting a melanoma is a timely diagnosis,primarily due to low awareness about mole checks.
Moles and freckles are so common many people may not even be aware about a new mole. But sometimes, a mole can change its size, shape or colour, and some could even bleed. In such a situation, it is advised to consult a certified clinic to get it checked.
When should you get a mole check done?
- If you find an odd looking mole, especially a new mole that is changing or evolving, do get it checked immediately.
- You should get a full body mole check at a skin clinic done at least once in a year. While a basic self-check is always possible, it helps to have an experienced doctor to examine your skin thoroughly, and spot any abnormal moles that you might have missed out.
- For those of us with many moles, a mole mapping exercise is a good way to keep a record of existing and new moles over a period of time, and can help in early diagnosis. Given that Melbourne gets a lot of harsh sun, doing this exercise is recommended once in every six months.
A mole check is a simple, but very effective way to spot early signs of melanoma, and can make the difference between cancer and a cancer-free life. At Manningham Skin Cancer Clinic in Melbourne, you will get expert care to correctly diagnose and treat skin cancer. We offer mole checks and mole mapping at our clinic in Melbourne.