Skin Cancer Surgery.
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Melanomas
Do you have a pigmented spot or mole that worries you? Is it growing or changing? Does it itch, bleed or crust? About half of melanomas are found by the patient and present as a new and/or changing lesion. Approximately 3.3% of Australian women and 4% of Australian men will develop melanoma. Risk factors include age, gender (male), previous melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancers, family history of melanoma, high number of naevi or moles, particular skin and hair pigmentation types, and excessive sun exposure. For more information, refer to Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Melanoma in Australia and New Zealand approved by the National Health and Medical Research Council. |
Non-melanoma skin cancers
Do you have a sunspot or lesion that is not healing and worrying you? Is it tender to touch or growing? Or does it itch or bleed intermittently? According to Cancer Council Australia, non-melanoma skin cancers are the most common cancers in Australia. Diagnosis of skin cancers can be difficult. An Australian study involving experienced clinicians achieved a diagnostic accuracy of 39% for squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and 59% for basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). Sun exposure is the major cause of basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. The majority of squamous cell carcinomas originate from solar keratoses or sun damaged skin. For more information, refer to Clinical Practice Guide for Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma (and related lesions) - a Guide to Clinical Management in Australia. |