Book your Mole Map at St Johns Medical Centre

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SJMC now offer mole maps in Whanganui.

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Why are skin checks so important?

Over time, your moles may change. Skin checks help you and your doctor get to know your moles to help identify any suspicious changes as quickly as possible - if you can spot it, you can stop it!

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Who should get their skin checked?

Everyone! People from all backgrounds and skin types will benefit from a skin check.

You might be recommended for routine checks if you have:

• Fair skin, red hair or light eye colour
• Any moles (more than 50)
• A personal history of skin cancer
• A family history of skin cancer
• Taken immunosuppressive medication
• An immunosupressive condition
• Two or more moles with irregular shape and greater than 6mm
• Extensive sun damage to your skin
• Used sunbeds

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What to Expect

Once you arrive and have been checked in, we will examine your skin and ask basic questions about your medical history along with any factors that could increase your risk for developing skin cancer. We may then examine your spots with a dermoscope - a magnifier that lets them see your mole’s unique features. With this information, we will take the appropriate measures to refer or manage your case.

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What’s Next?

We will take a moment to discuss the best course of action for your skin health. Depending on your case, this might look like:

• No further action needed at this time
  
• Scheduling follow up visits to image and monitor the mole
• A biopsy of the mole (a sample taken to examine it in further detail)
• An excision (the removal of the mole)