Skin Checks on the Gold Coast: How Often, What to Expect, and Why It Matters
If you live on the Gold Coast, you already know what it means to grow up in the sun. Weekends at the beach, outdoor sport, years of Queensland summers. It’s part of life here.
It’s also why skin cancer rates on the Gold Coast are among the highest in the world. Australia has the highest rate of melanoma of any country globally, and Queensland leads the nation.
The good news is that skin cancer, including melanoma, is highly treatable when caught early. A regular skin check is one of the most straightforward things you can do to protect yourself.
How Common Is Skin Cancer in Australia?
The numbers are worth knowing:
- Around two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70
- Melanoma is the third most common cancer in Australia
- More than 2,000 Australians die from skin cancer each year, the vast majority from melanoma
- Queensland has the highest rate of melanoma diagnosis in the country
These aren’t scare statistics. They’re the reason skin checks exist and why taking them seriously makes sense, particularly if you’ve spent a significant amount of your life in the sun.
How Often Should You Get a Skin Check?
The frequency depends on your individual risk. As a general guide:
Annually if you have any of the following:
- A personal or family history of melanoma or skin cancer
- Fair skin, light hair, or blue/green eyes
- A history of significant or repeated sunburn, especially in childhood
- A large number of moles, or moles with irregular shape or colour
- Worked outdoors for many years
Every 2 years for most people with moderate sun exposure and no high-risk features.
More frequently if you’ve had a skin cancer removed or if your GP recommends closer monitoring.
If you’re not sure where you fit, the safest approach is to book a check and let your GP assess your individual risk.
What Happens During a Skin Check?
A skin check at Southport Metro is straightforward and nothing to be anxious about.
Your GP will do a full-body examination of your skin, checking moles, freckles, and any spots that have changed, grown, or look unusual. They may use a dermatoscope, a small handheld device that magnifies the skin and allows for a closer look at pigmented lesions.
The appointment typically takes 20 to 30 minutes. You’ll be asked to undress to your underwear so your GP can examine all areas of skin, including spots you might not be able to see yourself, like your back, scalp, and behind the ears.
What Are They Looking For?
Your GP is checking for the main types of skin cancer:
Melanoma is the most serious type. It can develop from an existing mole or appear as a new spot. It’s more likely to spread if not caught early.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. It’s slow growing and rarely spreads but needs to be treated.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type. It can spread if left untreated and is often found in sun-exposed areas.
The ABCDE rule is a useful guide for monitoring your own skin between checks:
- A Asymmetry, one half doesn’t match the other
- B Border, irregular, ragged, or blurred edges
- C Colour, uneven colour with shades of brown, black, red, white, or blue
- D Diameter, larger than 6mm, though melanomas can be smaller
- E Evolving, any change in size, shape, colour, or a new symptom like bleeding
If a spot concerns your GP, they may refer you to a dermatologist, perform a biopsy, or remove it on the day depending on the clinical picture.
Don’t Wait for Something to Look Wrong
One of the challenges with skin cancer is that many people wait until something looks obviously concerning before booking a check. By that point, the window for early treatment has sometimes narrowed.
A skin check is quick, straightforward, and could genuinely save your life. If it’s been more than a year since your last one, or you’ve never had one, it’s worth booking.
Book a Skin Check at Southport Metro
Our GPs perform skin checks 7 days a week at Australia Fair Metro Shopping Centre in Southport. No referral needed.
Book online or call us on 07 5612 7830.
This article is for general informational purposes only. If you have a spot that concerns you, please see your GP promptly rather than waiting for a scheduled check.