Skin cancer checks and Management

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, 2 in 3 Australians will have a skin cancer by the age of 70. As such, we offer regular and comprehensive skin checks at Point Clare, as an important part of preventive health care.

We manage all skin cancers – including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCCs) – and provide clear guidance if further specialist care is required. While all of the Doctors can provide skin checks some have undergone extra training in this particular area to provide you with best care.

Whether you have a new or changing lesion, a personal or family history of skin cancer, or simply want peace of mind, we’re here to support your ongoing skin health.

The following doctors have an interest in skin cancer and have done additional training:

Dr Jack Stannus (SCCA Cert SCM, Cert Dermoscopy, Adv SCM, Adv Surgery)
Dr Taya Van Haren (Cert in practical Dermoscopy(ACD), Derm. Surg and procedures (ACD))

Please note that the following doctors do NOT offer skin checks;
Dr Emily Stoddart, Dr Deepika Panicker and Dr Courtney Codrington

Book a skin cancer check and take a proactive step in protecting your skin.

Book Appointment

What to expect during a full skin check at PCMP

The doctor will take 10-20 minutes checking your skin and all visible lesions with a special magnifying glass called at a dermatoscope which magnifies the skin up to 40-fold.

If you would like a single spot checked, this can be done for you. The process is similar but the examination is obviously shorter and targeted.

Before the examination starts, you’ll be asked about:

Any spots you’re personally worried about
- You should point out any lesions that are new, changing, itchy, bleeding, or just “feel wrong.”
Personal and family history of skin cancer
Sun exposure (outdoor work, tanning, childhood sunburns)
Other medical issues and medications
Allergies
Implantable devices (pacemakers or cochlear implants)

During the examination:

You’ll be asked to undress only down to your underwear. A sheet is supplied for modesty.
- Please note that you may at any time request that the doctor not look at a certain area if you would not like that to be examined.
The doctor will look over each part of the body with the dermatoscope (n a systematic way to ensure all areas of the skin are examined.
Using a dermatoscope and being able to examine photos at high resolution significantly improves diagnostic clarity and guides management.
Photos may be taken of a spot and stored on confidential software (DermEngine).
- We do not offer “total body photography”.

After the exam:

The doctor will summarise (and review with photographs where available) which spots are benign, require monitoring or are suspicious and require further action.

If a lesion needs sampling to evaluate a suspected diagnosis, a biopsy under local anaesthetic may be required: this is usually conducted at another appointment time on another day.

There are many treatment modalities for various types of skin cancers and the doctor will discuss these with you on a case-by-case basis.

Dr Stannus’s Skin-related fees

Skin checks
Pension standard consult	$95
Pension long consult	$135
Private standard consult	$115
Private long consult	$155

Spot checks
Pension standard	$80
Private standard	$100
Private standard consult	$115
Private long consult	$155

Single biopsy conducted at the time of the skin check (if time and room space available) = $50 gap

Cryotherapy = bulk billed under Medicare

All other procedures – discussed with doctor at time of booking.

Post-Operative Frequently Asked Questions

What can and can’t I do after surgery?

You will need to keep your procedure sites clean and completely dry for a full 48 hours – this may mean not showering if you cannot avoid getting your wound site wet.
Avoid strenuous activity including heavy lifting, exercise involving the relevant body area and water submersion for the first 2 weeks.
More specific post-procedure care advice will be given after the surgery is completed.

How much will my procedure cost?

Medicare is complex and we want you to be informed about how you will pay for your skin procedures.

Please be aware that according to Medicare rules, you will be asked to pay the full sum of Medicare rebates plus the out of pocket fee. After this is processed, you will receive the rebate paid back to you within 24 hours.`

Unlike standard time-based consults, the total fee payable is hard to calculate in advance. There are several reasons for this:

If you or your family have reached the “safety net”, that is, you have cumulatively paid more in gap fees than the “threshold” amount during the course of a calendar year, you are entitled to a higher rebate for the services provided.
The rebate paid back to you depends on diagnosis, size and location of the lesion – often confirmed after the procedure.
Your rebate also diminishes with multiple procedures done on the same day – you are paid back the entire rebate for the 1st procedural item, then 50% of the next, then 25% of all subsequent items.

Why do skin procedures cost more than normal consultations?

Both the Medicare rebate and the out of pocket fee are set higher than that of a standard consultation, which reflects the greater and more complex costs required to deliver these services (equipment, staffing, expertise, insurances/risk). Fortunately, Medicare covers the majority of the required cost for skin procedures.

Approximate ‘standard’ Medicare rebates for common skin procedures:

Note: No Medicare rebate available for cosmetic procedures, patient required to pay full cost to be discussed with doctor

	Most areas of body	Head, neck, lower leg, hand	Nose, lip, ear, finger
Benign lesions and suspected melanomas	$90 – 140	$130 – 170	$100 – 170
BCC and SCCs	$150 – 240	$180 – 240	$200 – 270
Confirmed melanomas	$275 – 350	$300 – 350	$350
Cosmetic procedures	$180 set price	$150	–