Our skin checks are a hassle-free 15-20 minute appointment where a dermatoscope is used to inspect any spots on your body. If any spot is considered suspicious, a biopsy and/or a photo will be taken. The biopsy is then sent to a local Cairns pathology lab to determine the exact nature of the spot.

A full skin check will involve the skin cancer doctor examining your entire body, including your palms, soles, and under your nails. Undergarments will be worn at all times. Please inform your doctor if you have any concerns under your clothes. We advise all our patients to remove all makeup and nail polish before appointments if possible. Mirrors are available in our bathroom for reapplication after the check. Unfortunately, melanoma can occur anywhere on your body, even in areas not exposed to the sun. Please arrive 10 minutes early if it is your first appointment with us to fill out the registration form.

We BULK BILL (no out-of-pocket costs) all patients with a health care concession card for their skin check. Out-of-pocket fees for non-HCC holders are $47.15. The overall cost as of November is $90 with a $42.85 rebate. Procedure costs will depend on the cancer diagnosis and the recommended operation. We do not compromise on our equipment and always allocate appropriate time for our potentially life-saving procedures.

Our doctors are highly qualified in diagnosing, treating, and preventing skin cancers, having completed extensive extra training. Our passionate skin cancer clinicians continue to further their education by regularly attending the newest courses and using advanced technologies and up-to-date treatments. We have the latest equipment and have designed the clinic with two fully established surgical theatres. Additionally, we use Dermengine, the most advanced technology for skin cancer detection and photography. We are uncompromising in the care for our patients and aim to be seen as a compassionate community clinic, providing care without the costs of a plastic surgeon.

Australia has the highest rates of melanoma in the world, including our region in Cairns. Recent statistics show that Smithfield and the Northern Beaches of Cairns have an 86% higher risk than the Australian average. *Evidence - Australian Cancer Atlas (https://atlas.cancer.org.au). Cancer Council Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information. Version 09-2018. Accessed [give date]. If you are over 25 years old and have never had a skin check, please book in today. Your doctor will create a personalized risk assessment at your appointment and let you know how often to book in the future.

All our doctors are passionate about skin cancer prevention. We recommend that our patients wear at a minimum 50+ SPF which is reapplied every 2-3 hours and ensure that they wear a hat, cover up as much as possible and use polarised sunglasses.

Disclaimer: All tenant doctors and other practitioners operating at Northern Skin Doctors are independent contractors. Each practitioner is solely responsible for their own fees, policies, conduct, professional services and each operate under their own ABN. Northern Skin Doctors provides support and administrative services to its tenants but does not oversee or assume responsibility for their professional activities.