Skin cancer checks & Biopsy
Skin Cancer Checks at FaceTime Skin & Body Clinic – Crows Nest, Sydney North Shore
Australia’s high UV index makes skin cancer one of the most prevalent and preventable health concerns nationwide. Early detection remains the most effective strategy for reducing complications and improving long-term outcomes. At FaceTime Skin & Body Clinic in Crows Nest, our dermoscopy-assisted skin assessments are designed to identify suspicious lesions at the earliest detectable stage, enabling timely referral and management when required.
A clear understanding of the primary types of skin cancer—and the clinical features associated with each—can help individuals recognise when to seek a professional assessment. Below is a concise, medically informed overview of common non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers, as well as pre-cancerous lesions frequently seen in sun-exposed populations across Australia.
Protecting Your Skin Health
Awareness, regular skin checks, and early clinical intervention remain the most effective strategies for reducing skin cancer risks. If you have noticed new or changing lesions—or if it has been more than a year since your last professional assessment—our dermoscopy-guided skin checks can provide clarity and peace of mind.
Book a skin cancer check at FaceTime Skin & Body Clinic in Crows Nest today.
Medicare Rebate
Skin Cancer Check
Regular skin checks are essential for detecting early signs of skin cancer. At FaceTime Skin & Body Clinic, we perform detailed, dermoscopy-guided examinations to assess moles, sun spots, and any new or changing lesions. Early detection provides peace of mind and ensures you receive the right care at the right time.
Medicare Rebate
Biopsy Treatment
A skin biopsy is a simple, precise procedure used to confirm the diagnosis of a suspicious mole, lesion, or sun-damaged spot. At FaceTime Skin & Body Clinic, a small sample of tissue is gently removed under local anaesthetic and sent for pathology analysis. This helps determine whether a lesion is benign, pre-cancerous, or requires further medical treatment.
Medicare Rebate
What Happens During a Skin Cancer Check?
Your skin check includes a full-body assessment, with particular attention to lesions that are new, changing, or have irregular colour or borders.
Using advanced dermoscopic tools, we examine deeper structures beneath the skin surface—details that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
This allows us to:
-
identify early warning signs of skin cancer
-
distinguish harmless lesions from ones that require treatment or monitoring
-
create a baseline record for future comparisons
-
offer clear advice on next steps if something needs further attention
If any lesion appears concerning, we can guide you toward appropriate medical follow-up or specialist care.
Who Should Consider Regular Skin Checks?
Skin cancer checks are beneficial for everyone, but especially for individuals who:
-
have fair or sun-sensitive skin
-
spend a lot of time outdoors
-
have a history of sunburns
-
notice new or changing moles
-
have a personal or family history of skin cancer
-
simply want the reassurance of a professional assessment
Most people benefit from a yearly full-body check, while some may require more frequent monitoring depending on their risk level.
Early Detection Provides Peace of Mind
Skin cancer is highly treatable when found early. A professional skin check is a quick, proactive step that can provide clarity, confidence, and long-term protection.
At FaceTime Skin & Body Clinic, we offer a calm, supportive environment where your concerns are taken seriously and your skin health comes first.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer and arises from the basal keratinocytes within the epidermis. It typically appears on chronically sun-exposed areas such as the face, scalp, neck, shoulders and upper trunk.
BCC is characteristically slow-growing, but without treatment it may cause significant local tissue destruction.
Clinical features may include:
-
a pearly or translucent papule with visible blood vessels
-
a pink or slightly scaly patch
-
a non-healing sore that intermittently bleeds or crusts
-
rolled borders or central ulceration
While metastasis is extremely rare, early diagnosis is essential to prevent deeper invasion and minimise cosmetic and functional impact.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Squamous cell carcinoma develops from the squamous keratinocytes of the epidermis and is the second most common skin cancer in Australia. SCC typically affects sun-damaged sites such as the ears, lips, scalp, forearms and hands.
Unlike BCC, SCC may grow more rapidly and carries a small but meaningful risk of spreading to lymph nodes or distant organs.
Common warning signs include:
-
a thickened, crusted or scaly lesion
-
a firm, tender nodule
-
an ulcer that does not heal
-
a rapidly enlarging, wart-like growth
Any lesion suspicious for SCC warrants prompt clinical evaluation, as early treatment significantly reduces the risk of complications.
Melanoma
Melanoma originates from melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells within the skin. Although less common than non-melanoma skin cancers, melanoma is far more aggressive and responsible for the majority of skin cancer–related deaths.
Melanoma may arise within a pre-existing mole or present as a new pigmented lesion.
Dermoscopic skin examinations are critical, as they detect structural changes not visible to the naked eye.
Red-flag changes include alterations in:
-
Asymmetry – one half appears different from the other
-
Border – irregular, notched, or blurred edges
-
Colour – multiple colours or uneven pigmentation
-
Diameter – typically larger than 6 mm
-
Evolution – any noticeable change in size, colour, shape or symptoms
Any evolving or atypical mole should be reviewed urgently.
Actinic Keratosis (Solar Keratosis)
Actinic keratoses are pre-cancerous lesions caused by cumulative UV exposure. They appear as rough, scaly or sandpaper-like patches on sun-exposed areas such as the:
-
face
-
scalp
-
ears
-
forearms
-
hands
-
décolletage
Although not cancerous themselves, a proportion of actinic keratoses may progress to SCC. Early management and periodic monitoring are recommended to reduce long-term risk.
Advanced Skin Cancer Screenings by Our Dermatology Nurse Practitioner
At FaceTime Skin & Body Clinic in Crows Nest, all skin cancer assessments are performed exclusively by our Dermatology Nurse Practitioner (NP). As an advanced practice clinician with specialised training in dermoscopy, early melanoma recognition, complex lesion assessment and evidence-based dermatological care, our team provides a high level of clinical expertise in medical skin cancer evaluation.
With extensive experience across general dermatology, skin cancer medicine and medical skin health, we conduct comprehensive, medically supervised full-body skin cancer examinations using diagnostic frameworks aligned with Australian clinical standards. These assessments are medical diagnostic procedures, fundamentally different from cosmetic skin checks or beauty-based observations.
By integrating advanced clinical skills, high-resolution dermoscopic imaging, lesion pattern analysis and risk-stratification protocols, we ensure early and accurate detection of skin cancers across all skin phototypes.
Conduct comprehensive full-body skin cancer screenings
Our examinations follow a structured head-to-toe protocol, assessing all anatomical areas for:
-
new or evolving lesions
-
UV-related skin changes
-
atypical or irregular moles
-
pigmented and non-pigmented lesions
-
lesions requiring closer review or investigation
Risk profiling includes personal history, family tendencies, skin type, UV exposure patterns and lesion behaviour.
Perform advanced dermoscopic evaluations
We utilise high-resolution dermoscopy to assess lesions beyond the surface level. Dermoscopic interpretation includes:
-
pigment network analysis
-
vascular morphology
-
asymmetry and structural patterns
-
regression indicators
-
differentiation between benign, atypical and suspicious lesions
This approach significantly enhances early detection accuracy.
Identify suspicious or high-risk pathology
Our assessments follow Australian dermatology and skin cancer guidelines, enabling us to recognise:
-
early melanoma
-
basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
-
squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
-
actinic keratoses
-
atypical naevi
-
rapidly changing lesions requiring urgent review
-
Perform medically indicated skin biopsies
Where clinically appropriate, we can perform punch biopsies or shave biopsies to obtain tissue samples for histopathological analysis.
Biopsies are carried out under sterile technique with local anaesthesia and are used to confirm or rule out suspected pathology.
(This wording is fully compliant and accurately reflects NP capabilities.)
Provide evidence-based management and monitoring plans
We develop personalised medical plans that may include:
-
lesion monitoring schedules
-
surveillance for atypical or high-risk naevi
-
strategies for managing precancerous lesions
-
guidance on sun protection and skin health
-
ongoing follow-up based on clinical risk
All recommendations align with Cancer Council Australia and Australasian College of Dermatologists best-practice guidelines.
Coordinate medical referral pathways
When specialist intervention is required, we facilitate streamlined, timely referrals to:
-
Dermatologists
-
General Practitioners
-
Skin cancer physicians
-
Surgical specialists for further management
This ensures patients receive the appropriate next steps without delay.