As Australians, we love spending time in the great outdoors. And while our country is blessed with almost year-round sunny weather, we also have the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. Indeed, some sources say that two out of three Australians can expect to develop at least one cancer in their lifetime.
Unfortunately, without proper protection, too much fun in the sun can have dire consequences. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. In addition to sun protection, seeking shade, and wearing the proper clothing (including sunnies and a hat), the best way to keep your skin healthy is with regular skin check-ups. It’s important to go to a professional who has the right technology and know-how to check your skin for cancer.
In this article, we’ll outline the qualities to consider when choosing a skin cancer care clinic, and share where to find the best in Canberra.
What makes a great skin cancer clinic?
Skin cancer should never be taken lightly. When it comes to investing in skin checks, you want to rest easy knowing you’re dealing with the best in the business. This will give you confidence and peace of mind.
It can be helpful to keep the following in mind when choosing a skin cancer clinic.
- Specialist staff. Look for a skin cancer clinic with staff who have skin cancer qualifications. This is an area of expertise.
- Experienced staff. The more experienced a doctor is, the quicker they can identify troublesome spots, and recommend an effective treatment.
- Latest equipment. Like other fields of medicine, the technology designed to diagnose and treat skin cancer is advancing at lightning speed. Opt for a clinic that invests in the latest equipment. This can include computer-assisted full body skin cancer screening and imagine systems.
- Comfortable. With a full body skin check you’ll have to remove most of your clothing, but you should be given a gown and never made to feel violated or uncomfortable during the process.
- Cost. Check the cost of an appointment, and method of payment, while booking so there are no surprises. If cost is a factor, look for a skin cancer clinic or specialist GP that bulk bills.
The best skin cancer clinics in Canberra
RiotACT’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on RiotACT and Facebook as well as maintain a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.
Gungahlin Medical Centre
Gungahlin Medical Centre has now opened a Skin Cancer Clinic. Specialist doctors with skin cancer qualifications conduct full body skin checks to determine issues. They can image concerning skin lesions on state-of-the-art software. Gungahlin Medical Centre’s skin doctors can also remove lesions, including with surgical skills like grafts and flaps, using the latest equipment. Gungahlin Medical Centre also has a women’s health and reproduction clinic and a child health and immunisation clinic. Several GPs work out of the clinic.
360uv Skin Cancer Clnic
As a comprehensive and professionally supported skin cancer clinic, 360uv offers prevention, monitoring, intervention and management of skin cancer health. Managed by Dr Alastair Taylor and supported by a medical team of qualified specialists and GPs, 360uv uses specific technology in skin cancer checks, including clinical photography, and provides diagnosis, referral and/or management of lesions, arranging non-invasive management of the lesion or surgical excision. Located in Deakin, 360uv provides highly effective skin cancer monitoring and skin checks.
One sportsmum wrote, “I know two ‘moley’ people who went there and both had melanomas removed after a screening. I think they have special equipment [at 360uv] that can pick it up.”
Morris Wellness
As a leading skin care expert in Canberra, Dr Andrew Morris of Morris Wellness in Kingston has been screening for cancer since 1999. To keep clients safe, Dr Morris uses the latest technology, including Computer Assisted Skin Cancer Screening and the very latest in professional imaging systems. This technology helps with early recognition of skin cancer and image documentation. Dr Morris also communicates in detail with clients so they become knowledgeable about their current state of health, courses of preventative action and other ways to ensure wellbeing. Dr Morris is an Accredited Skin Cancer Doctor (Skin Cancer College Australasia). To become accredited, he had to complete significant additional study, pass rigorous assessment and have proven skills in the diagnosis, treatment and management of skin cancer. Having accumulated more than 20 years of experience in skin cancer medicine, Dr Morris has also completed multiple certificate and advanced certificate courses in dermoscopy and skin cancer medicine and surgery.
Satisfied customer, Louise Patricia, wrote on Google, “Best skin checkup I’ve ever had. Prompt, on time and the use of a computer to map is invaluable. Lovely place. Highly recommend.”
If you’ve got a problem with your skin but you’re not sure what it may be, our article on the best dermatologists in Canberra may help you.
Your experience with skin cancer clinics in Canberra
Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Have you had experience with any of the skin cancer clinics listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.
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Hi jessieduck ,
I have been visiting the skin clinic in Kingston the one opposite to the shops for several years.
This was specifically for Psoriasis treatment and now i am a happy camper, pretty sure that they they may be able to help you out or else point you in the right direction .
Old google helped me with their website – http://www.healthyskincliniccanberra.com/
Worth a call.
My 2 cents.
i don not know whether it is relevant here or not. i have seen many people being cured using ‘CANNABIS’ after all the traditional practices were not successful with cancer treatment.
for skin cancer, there is a cannabis oil.
sportsmum said :
second that, which reminds me I need to book a check up soon.
I have been visiting Dr Andrew Morris of the Morris Practice in Kennedy St Kingston for several years. He has the equipment, has done quick surgery on me and has a holistic style if that is important.
Very serious issue, I know. But:
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1256234240/tt0049516
You could try 360uv in Deakin. I know two ‘moley’ people who went there and both had melanomas removed after screening. I think that have special equipment there that can pick it up.
ps0104 said :
Thanks for this, called up and booked in. I like my GP but don’t trust him with specialist knowledge like this.
I don’t mind a shameless plug thoughtpod. Riotact ain’t no ABC!
Thanks guys. Jamison is very handy to us so I’ll send him there first. No more putting it off!
This feels a bit like a plug, but hopefully it might be helpful to you…if you have an iPhone.
Earlier this year, my wife and I (who own a small, Canberra e-health start-up) created an iPhone app that lets you track your moles. It helps you capture photos and information about moles that concern you, and update these over time to note if they change in any way. It also lets you capture personal and family skin cancer history that could be useful to your doctor.
The app is really all about helping you partner with your doctor – so, you can print out or email detailed reports and share these with your GP/dermatologist. It was made in conjunction with doctors and dermatologists (and skin cancer patients), and we’ve put in a lot of effort to make sure it’s very useful, very usable, and clinically safe.
By the way, it does NOT diagnose skin cancer. Because apps can’t, and ones that claim to do this are dangerous (the Cancer Council has a lot to say about this point).
Anyway, if you’re interested, you can find a link to SkinKeeper for iPhone off our website (http://www.thehealthsafari.com).
ps0104 said :
+1 Jamison Medical and Skin Cancer Clinic. Recommend Dr. Goonerage, he was exactly right in my diagnosis.
I use Jamison Medical and Skin Cancer Clinic. Always been happy and no need for a referral- just ring and make an appt. In my experience, they are not cut happy which I see as a good thing- they make a careful assessment before deciding to go down the removal route rather than simply cutting out anything that looks semi-suspect.
On the southside, Dr Laurence Anderson at Annie Lim family Practice in Deakin is excellent. He is a GP but specialises in skin cancer checks and is also a trained cosmetic surgeon.
Can try “North Canberra Family Practice” (02 6251 9006 – their website has a wrong phone number but you can confirm it in Whitepages) – they are one of those mega clinics and one of their attached services is skin cancer checks.
Best to do a check up. I had a friend who had a mole was cancerous, even after the operation to carve it out he died a year later.