Dr Nick Mouktaroudis is a GP and co-owner at PartridgeGP. He’s passionate about health education, has a special interest in Skin, and a lot of expertise to share when it comes to helping people cope with and improve Skin Conditions. Let’s hand over to Dr Nick!

What is a Skin Check?

A Skin Check is a Comprehensive Skin History and Examination which is done at PartridgeGP.

Your GP will ask you questions to assess the extent of Your risk/exposure to UV radiation and Your risk of solar related cancers.

They will examine you head to toe, examining the skin surface, focusing on any areas of concern (including the eyes, mouth, and anywhere else you may have noticed any spots, lumps, or bumps).

Are there any tools used for the Skin Check?

A proper examination needs proper equipment and we use handheld LED illumination with magnification as well as polarised light and clinical photography.

A dermatoscope is used to examine specific skin lesions. This is a particular type of handheld magnifying device designed to allow the experienced examiner to further assess skin lesions and determine whether they are suspicious or not.

Who should have a Skin Check?

We encourage all Australians over the age of 40 to have a Skin Check annually. Australians have one of the highest rates of skin cancers in the world.

Australians who have above average risks should be having Skin Checks before the age of 40 and sometimes more than annually.

You should have a Skin Check at any age if You are concerned about Your skin or particular skin lesions/areas.

We ask You to identify any lesions of concern prior to the Skin Check wherever possible.

These may include new lesions that You have noticed or longstanding lesions that may be changing in some way or that You are concerned about. If You are worried – Ask!

Risk factors for skin cancer

People at higher risk of skin cancer are those who:

have previously had a skin cancer and/or have a family history of skin cancer

have a large number of moles on their skin

have a skin type that is sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and burns easily

have a history of severe/blistering sunburns

spend lots of time outdoors, unprotected, during their lifetime

actively tan or use solariums or sunlamps

work outdoors

Does My GP take photos of My Skin?

During a skin check at PartridgeGP, Your GP will ask Your Specific Consent to take photos if they are concerned or want to make note of a particular skin lesion.

Photographs are useful as an adjunct to description of the lesion and act as a reference to position and comparison if required.

The photos will be uploaded onto Your Private Medical Record at PartridgeGP.

What if My GP finds something?

This will depend on what Your GP has found.

If they are concerned about a particular skin lesion they may suggest a biopsy to clarify the diagnosis.

A biopsy is a surgical procedure during which they take an appropriate sample of tissue from the lesion of concern and send it to a pathologist for review.

Generally pigmented lesions (coloured spots), will be biopsied in their entirety whereas non pigmented skin lesions may be sampled partially if the lesion is too large to sample in its entirety.

The results of the pathology report will guide further treatment.

Your GP may elect to treat without a biopsy if they are confident of the diagnosis.

This may include freezing/cauterising a lesion, cutting it out (excising), or offering topical treatments such as creams.

Biopsies are scheduled in the PartridgeGP theatre and our Practice Nurse will assist Your GP.

What do I wear for a Skin Check?

Comfortable clothing.

Your GP will ask to examine you down to your underwear.

A sheet or towel will be provided for you to preserve your comfort and dignity.

A chaperone (Our Practice Nurse) is always offered.

Please avoid makeup or nail polish as the Skin Check involves the face and skin under the nails.

How long is a Skin Check?

Allow half an hour for Your GP to perform a thorough history and examination.

Do I need to see My GP or should I see a dermatologist?

GPs are Primary Care Physicians on the front line of Skin Cancer detection.

All GPs can check your skin, though not all GPs have formal training or a specific interest in skin cancer medicine and dermatoscopy.

Dr Nick Mouktaroudis has trained extensively in General Practice, Skin Cancer Medicine and Surgery, and has formal qualifications in Skin Cancer Medicine.

Dermatologists are sub-specialists in all skin conditions including Skin Cancer Medicine and Surgery although some will focus on other skin conditions.