At Shire Family Medical in Sutherland, skin checks are part of everyday preventative care — a practical step for anyone with a mole that concerns them, a spot that has changed, or a personal or family history that puts skin cancer on their radar. This article explains what usually happens during a skin check, how to prepare, and when to book sooner rather than later.
What Is a Skin Check?
A skin check is a GP examination of your skin for moles, spots or lesions that may need closer assessment. Your GP reviews your skin history and risk factors, examines areas of concern, and uses a dermatoscope — a handheld magnifying tool — to look more closely at any spots that appear unusual. If something needs follow-up, your GP will explain the recommended next step, which may include monitoring, a biopsy, cryotherapy or referral.
At a GP practice, a skin check is part of preventative care — not an emergency response. It is the right appointment when you have noticed a change, want a general review, or simply have not had your skin assessed for some time.
Why Skin Checks Matter in Australia
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. A combination of UV exposure, fair skin, outdoor work or sport, previous sunburn, family history, and age can all raise a person’s risk — and often those factors compound over a lifetime without any obvious warning signs until something changes.
Skin cancers are not always painful or visible at a glance. Some appear as a new spot. Others develop from an existing mole or freckle that begins to change in colour, shape or texture. A lesion may bleed, crust, itch or simply fail to heal. Because these changes can be subtle, a skin check provides a clinical review that goes beyond what you can assess yourself in a mirror.
The three main types of skin cancer are melanoma — the most serious, which can spread to other organs — and the more common but less aggressive basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). All three are more treatable when identified early.
How Long Does a Skin Check Take?
A dedicated GP skin check typically takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of spots being examined and whether a full-body review is included. This is longer than a standard GP consultation, which is why it is worth booking a specific skin check appointment rather than raising a concern at the end of an appointment scheduled for something else.
If you have several spots to discuss, a previous history of skin cancer, or want a thorough head-to-toe review, let reception know when booking so the right appointment length can be arranged. A shorter appointment may not allow enough time for a careful examination of multiple lesions.
How to Prepare for a Skin Check
A little preparation makes the appointment more useful for both you and your GP.
Before your visit, it helps to make a note of any spots you are worried about and take clear photos if a spot has been changing over time — photos can be genuinely useful when comparing size, colour or shape across weeks or months. Remove nail polish if you want your nails checked, avoid heavy makeup over facial spots of concern, and wear clothing that is easy to remove if a full-body review is planned.
It is also worth letting your GP know about any previous skin cancers, biopsies or skin treatments, and mentioning any family history of melanoma. This context helps your GP calibrate how closely to look and how often to recommend follow-up.
What Happens During the Appointment?
Your GP will begin by asking about your skin history, any spots you have noticed, and your personal risk factors — including sun exposure history, previous skin cancers, family history and skin type. This conversation is a clinical part of the assessment, not small talk.
For a thorough skin review, you may be asked to remove outer clothing so your skin can be examined properly. Areas commonly checked include the face, ears, scalp line, neck, arms, hands, trunk, back, legs and feet. Skin cancers can sometimes develop in places not usually exposed to the sun, so it is worth mentioning any spot that concerns you regardless of where it is.
You can ask questions at any point, request a brief pause, or choose to have a support person present — all of these are reasonable and welcome. Your GP will explain what they are looking at as they go.
Shire Family Medical, a GP medical centre at 154 Flora Street, Sutherland, provides skin cancer checks and mole examinations using dermatoscopy, with treatment and referral pathways where clinically indicated.
What Your GP Looks For
During a skin check, your GP is looking for any lesion — mole, freckle, sunspot, lump, scaly area or persistent sore — that has features suggesting it may need further assessment.
The ABCDE Guide to Suspicious Moles
One well-established framework for assessing moles is the ABCDE criteria:
- Asymmetry: one half of the spot looks different from the other.
- Border: the edge is irregular, notched or spreading rather than smooth.
- Colour: the spot contains multiple shades or has changed colour over time.
- Diameter: the spot is growing or becoming larger.
- Evolving: the spot is changing in size, shape, colour, surface or symptoms.
Spots That Don’t Follow the ABCDE Pattern
The ABCDE guide is a useful starting point, but it does not capture every concerning lesion. Some skin cancers — particularly certain BCCs and nodular melanomas — do not follow a neat checklist. A spot that is new, persistently itchy, tender, crusting, bleeding or simply different from your other spots is worth having assessed, even if it looks unremarkable by the ABCDE criteria.
Your GP brings clinical judgement and pattern recognition to this assessment — the ABCDE framework is a patient education tool, not the full scope of what an examination involves.
What Is Dermatoscopy?
Dermatoscopy is the use of a handheld magnifying device — a dermatoscope — to examine the structures, colours and patterns within a mole or lesion more closely than the naked eye can see. It is a standard part of a GP skin check where the clinical picture warrants it.
Dermatoscopy does not produce an instant diagnosis. Rather, it helps the GP examine features beneath the surface of a spot — blood vessel patterns, pigment distribution, structural detail — and decide whether the lesion is likely benign, needs monitoring, or requires further action. When a spot has features that are difficult to assess visually, dermatoscopy adds a layer of precision to that clinical judgement.
What If Something Looks Concerning?
If your GP identifies a lesion that needs further assessment, they will explain the recommended next step clearly. A concerning lesion does not automatically mean skin cancer — many spots require checking, monitoring or sampling before a clear answer is available.
Depending on what is found, your GP may recommend monitoring the spot and reviewing it after a set period, clinical photography for comparison over time, cryotherapy for selected lesions where clinically appropriate, a biopsy or minor procedure, or referral to a dermatologist or surgeon. Some minor procedures may be performed on site where this is clinically suitable; more complex cases may need specialist referral. Your GP will explain why a particular pathway is recommended in your case.
How Often Should You Have a Skin Check?
How often you need a skin check depends on your individual risk factors — there is no single schedule that applies to everyone. People with a previous skin cancer, many moles, a strong family history of melanoma, significant cumulative sun exposure, fair skin or a suppressed immune system may need more regular checks. Others may need periodic review or an appointment only when something new or changing appears.
Rather than following a general rule, ask your GP directly how often they recommend you be checked based on what they find. For some patients, regular skin checks form part of a broader preventative care plan alongside GP health assessments and other age-appropriate screening conversations.
Checking Your Own Skin Between Appointments
Knowing your own skin well is genuinely useful between GP appointments. You are more likely than anyone else to notice when something changes — a new spot appearing, a freckle that looks different, a mole that has started catching on clothing.
Use a hand mirror for hard-to-see areas, or ask someone you trust to check your back, shoulders and scalp. If you notice a new spot, a changing spot or something that looks different from your other marks, book a GP appointment rather than waiting to see what develops. Taking a clear photo at the time you notice a change can also help your GP understand what you observed and when.
Self-examination does not replace a GP skin check — it complements it. Clinical examination and dermatoscopy reveal detail that a mirror and good lighting cannot.
When To Book Sooner
You do not need to wait for a routine review if something on your skin concerns you. Book a GP appointment sooner if a spot is new and unusual; changes in size, shape or colour; looks different from your other spots; bleeds, crusts or does not heal; itches, tingles or becomes tender; develops a lump or raised area; or has an irregular border or multiple colours.
Even if the spot turns out to be harmless, having it assessed is always the right call. The alternative — watching a genuine change go unchecked — is not worth the uncertainty.
If you have questions about a mole or skin concern, or would like to arrange a skin check, you can book an appointment with Shire Family Medical online or by calling 02 9545 1777.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during a skin check?
A GP skin check begins with questions about your skin history, risk factors and any spots you have noticed. Your GP will then examine your skin — sometimes asking you to remove outer clothing for a more thorough review — and use a dermatoscope to look closely at moles or lesions with unusual features. If anything needs follow-up, your GP will explain the recommended next step, which may include monitoring, a biopsy, cryotherapy or referral.
How long does a skin check take?
A dedicated GP skin check typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. The exact time depends on the number of spots being examined, whether a full-body review is included, and how much discussion is needed. Booking a specific skin check appointment — rather than raising a concern at the end of another consultation — ensures enough time is available for a careful examination.
Can a GP do a skin check?
Yes. GPs are trained to assess moles, lesions and skin changes as part of preventative care. GP skin checks using dermatoscopy are a standard part of general practice in Australia. A GP can examine, monitor, treat or refer depending on what is found. If a lesion requires specialist assessment or complex treatment, your GP will refer you to a dermatologist or surgeon.
Do I need to undress for a skin check?
For a full-body skin check, you may be asked to remove outer clothing so your skin can be examined thoroughly. You can ask questions, request a brief pause, and choose to have a support person present. Your GP will explain what they are doing as they examine each area.
What is dermatoscopy?
Dermatoscopy uses a handheld magnifying device called a dermatoscope to examine the structures, colours and patterns within a mole or lesion more closely than is visible to the naked eye. It helps your GP look beneath the surface appearance of a spot to assess whether it has features that warrant monitoring, biopsy or referral. Dermatoscopy is a standard tool in GP skin checks where clinical examination suggests a spot needs closer review.
What if my GP finds a suspicious mole?
Your GP will explain the recommended next step clearly. A suspicious mole does not automatically mean skin cancer — many lesions require monitoring or sampling before a clear answer is available. Depending on what is found, your GP may recommend periodic monitoring with photography, cryotherapy, a biopsy or minor procedure, or referral to a dermatologist or surgeon. Your GP will explain why a particular pathway is recommended in your case.
How often should I have a skin check?
How often you need a skin check depends on your individual risk factors. People with a previous skin cancer, many moles, a strong family history of melanoma, fair skin or significant sun exposure history may need more frequent checks. Others may need only periodic review or an appointment when something new appears. Ask your GP directly at your next visit — they can advise based on what they find and your personal history.
This article provides general health information only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Any treatment, test, procedure or vaccination mentioned is for illustrative purposes only — suitability depends on individual circumstances and assessment by a qualified health professional. Medical information can change; always speak with your GP about your specific symptoms, health history and care options. In an emergency, call 000.
