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Working outdoors? When to get a spot checked

The changes worth booking in for, and what happens at a skin check.

In the Upper Hunter, plenty of people spend their working day outside, on farms and stud properties, at mine sites, on the road or on building sites. Weekends are often outdoors too. All of that sun adds up. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, and UV radiation from the sun is the main cause.

What to look for

Skin cancers are generally easier to treat when they are found early, so it is worth getting to know your skin. Check your whole body, including areas that do not often see the sun, and ask someone to help with your back and scalp. Look for:

  • A new spot, or one that looks different from your other spots.
  • A spot that is changing in size, shape or colour.
  • A sore that does not heal, or that bleeds, crusts or itches.
  • A scaly or rough patch that keeps coming back.
  • A lump that is raised, firm and growing.

Our guide to the ABCDE signs of melanoma explains what to look for in moles.

Who has a higher risk?

Your risk is higher if you work or play outdoors, have fair skin that burns or freckles easily, have lots of moles or unusual moles, have had skin cancer before, have a close relative who has had melanoma, or had blistering sunburns as a child. Everyone can get skin cancer, though, including people with darker skin.

What happens at a skin check

A skin check is a head-to-toe examination of your skin by a doctor. It usually involves:

  • A few questions about your history, your sun exposure and any spots you are worried about.
  • A look at your skin, usually down to your underwear. You can ask for a chaperone, and you can ask to skip areas you are not comfortable with.
  • A closer look at some spots with a dermatoscope, a handheld magnifying light.
  • A plan for anything that needs attention, such as watching a spot, taking a photo to compare later, or a biopsy.

A skin check is not a guarantee that nothing will be missed, and it does not replace checking your own skin between visits.

How often should you have a skin check?

There is no single rule for everyone. How often you are checked depends on your individual risk. Your GP can talk with you about what makes sense for you.

Protect your skin at work

Use sun protection whenever the UV index is 3 or above, which in Australia is much of the year:

  • Slip on sun-protective clothing with long sleeves and a collar.
  • Slop on broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, and reapply every two hours.
  • Slap on a broad-brimmed hat or a hard hat with a brim and neck flap.
  • Seek shade for breaks, and slide on sunglasses.

Skin checks in Aberdeen

Aberdeen Surgery offers skin cancer checks, and biopsies and minor excisions, without leaving town. GP consultations are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card. Some procedures can attract a fee for consumables, and reception will tell you the cost first. Ask for a longer appointment when you book a skin check.

The ABCDE of melanoma: how to check your moles

A simple way to remember the signs to look for when you check your skin.

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can develop in an existing mole or appear as a new spot. Checking your own skin and knowing what to look for helps you notice changes early, when skin cancers are generally easier to treat.

The ABCDE guide

  • A for Asymmetry: the two halves of the spot do not match.
  • B for Border: the edge is irregular, notched, blurred or ragged.
  • C for Colour: the colour is uneven, with several shades of brown, black, blue, red, white or grey.
  • D for Diameter: the spot is larger than about 6 millimetres, though melanomas can be smaller.
  • E for Evolving: the spot is changing in size, shape, colour or height, or has new symptoms such as itching or bleeding.

When the ABCDE does not fit

Some melanomas, called nodular melanomas, do not follow the ABCDE pattern. They are often described with the letters EFG: Elevated, Firm to touch and Growing. They can grow quickly, so a raised, firm spot that is getting bigger should be checked promptly. Other skin cancers, such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, can look like a pearly lump, a scaly patch or a sore that will not heal.

The ugly duckling sign

Most people’s moles look similar to each other. A spot that stands out as different from the rest, sometimes called an ugly duckling, is worth showing a doctor even if it does not match the ABCDE signs.

How to check your skin at home

  • Choose a well-lit room and use a full-length mirror and a hand mirror.
  • Check everywhere, including your scalp, behind your ears, between your fingers and toes, the soles of your feet and under your nails.
  • Ask a partner or family member to check your back and scalp.
  • Take photos of spots you want to keep an eye on, so you can compare them over time.

When to see a doctor

Book an appointment if you notice a new spot, a spot that is changing, or a spot that bleeds, itches or does not heal. Do not wait for your next routine check. At Aberdeen Surgery, skin cancer checks are available with GPs who have an interest in skin health, and GP consultations are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card.