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Molecheck - Skin Cancer Screening

Skin Cancer Service

Today

Open today 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Description

At Molecheck, doctors with specific training in skin cancer use a technology called dermoscopy to detect melanoma and other skin cancers. This is the most accurate, thorough and comprehensive skin cancer and melanoma check available and often allows diagnosis before skin cancers can be detected by the naked eye or a standard scan.

The doctors at Molecheck use the latest dermoscopy techniques to detect melanoma and other skin cancers at the earliest possible stage. They provide on-the-spot diagnosis, and in some cases, on-the-spot treatment. Patients leave the consultation with a clear assessment of any lesions of concern, an understanding of personal skin cancer risk and a plan for any treatment and follow-up that may be required - surgical or otherwise.

Learn more about looking after your skin and skin cancer here.

Purchase a Molecheck gift voucher here

Doctors

Note: Please note below that some people are not available at all locations.

Dr John Carter

Specialist GP

Available at 193 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland
Dr Susan Cornah

Specialist GP

Available at 143 Aikmans Road, Merivale, Christchurch
Dr Angela Dowle

Specialist GP

Available at 143 Aikmans Road, Merivale, Christchurch, 3 Norman Kirk Drive, Rolleston
Dr Ali Goldkorn

Specialist GP

Available at 193 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland
Dr Nicki Hartland

Specialist GP

Available at 143 Aikmans Road, Merivale, Christchurch
Dr Lynette Henry

Specialist GP

Available at 193 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland
Dr Omeed Howey

Specialist GP

Available at 143 Aikmans Road, Merivale, Christchurch
Dr Phil Jacobs

Specialist GP

Available at 143 Aikmans Road, Merivale, Christchurch
Dr Angela Jakobsen

Specialist GP

Available at 193 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland
Dr Sari Lester

Specialist GP

Available at 143 Aikmans Road, Merivale, Christchurch
Dr Raakhi Mistry

Specialist GP

Available at 193 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland
Dr Charis Shepherd

Specialist GP

Available at 143 Aikmans Road, Merivale, Christchurch
Dr Chris Vodde

Specialist GP

Available at 143 Aikmans Road, Merivale, Christchurch

Ages

Child / Tamariki, Youth / Rangatahi, Adult / Pakeke, Older adult / Kaumātua

How do I access this service?

Anyone can access

Contact us

Auckland
Phone (09) 524 1234
Email info@molecheck.co.nz

Christchurch
Phone (03) 355 5089
Email admin@molecheck.co.nz

Referral

Make an appointment

Book now

Fees and Charges Categorisation

Fees apply

Fees and Charges Description

Full Examination Adult - $325
Full Examination Child - $165
Family Concession - $250 per person
Short Check Adult - $165
Short Check Child - $95
Corporate Concession - $250 per person

Click here for details

Insurance cover is provided by many insurers (including Southern Cross) for skin checks of any lesions of concern as well as for skin procedures (cryotherapy or lesion removal) performed by our Molecheck doctors. Entitlement and the amount covered will be in accordance with your policy.

Hours

Open today 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Mon – Fri	8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Services Provided

Skin cancer service

What to expect The doctor will assess the appearance and surface of the mole or lesion then, using advanced dermoscopy technology, will diagnose and treat lesions where appropriate. Find Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Molecheck appointments and examinations here. Skin Cancer New Zealand has a very high rate of skin cancer, when compared to other countries. The most common forms of skin cancer usually appear on areas of skin that have been over-exposed to the sun. Risk factors for developing skin cancer are: prolonged exposure to the sun; people with fair skin; and possibly over-exposure to UV light from sun beds. There are three main types of skin cancers: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) This is the most common type and is found on skin surfaces that are exposed to sun. A BCC remains localised and does not usually spread to other areas of the body. Sometimes BCCs can ulcerate and scab so it is important not to mistake it for a sore. BCCs occur more commonly on the face, back of hands and back. They appear usually as small, red lumps that don’t heal and sometimes bleed or become itchy. They have the tendency to change in size and sometimes in colour. Treatment Often a BCC can be diagnosed just by its appearance. In other cases it will be removed totally and sent for examination and diagnosis, or a biopsy may be taken and just a sample sent for diagnosis. Removal of a BCC will require an appointment with a doctor or surgeon. It will be termed minor surgery and will require a local anaesthetic (numbing of the area) and possibly some stitches. A very small number of BCCs will require a general anaesthetic (you will sleep through the operation) for removal. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) This type of skin cancer also affects areas of the skin that have exposure to the sun. The most common area is the face, but an SCC can also affect other parts of the body and can spread to other parts of the body. The spreading (metastasising) can potentially be fatal if not successfully treated. A SCC usually begins as a keratosis that looks like an area of thickened scaly skin, it may then develop into a raised, hard lump which enlarges. SCCs can sometimes be painful. Often the edges are irregular and it can appear wart like, the colour can be reddish brown. Sometimes it can appear like a recurring ulcer that does not heal. All SCCs will need to be removed, because of their potential for spread. The removal and diagnosis is the same as for a BCC. Malignant Melanoma This is the most serious form of skin cancer. It can spread to other parts of the body and people can die from this disease. A melanoma usually starts as a pigmented growth on normal skin. They often, but not always, occur on areas that have high sun exposure. In some cases, a melanoma may develop from existing pigmented moles. What to look for: an existing mole that changes colour (it may be black, dark blue or even red and white) the colour pigment may be uneven the edges of the mole/freckle may be irregular and have a spreading edge the surface of the mole/freckle may be flaky/crusted and raised sudden growth of an existing or new mole/freckle inflammation and or itchiness surrounding an existing or new mole/freckle. Treatment It is important that any suspect moles or freckles are checked by a GP or a dermatologist. The sooner a melanoma is treated, there is less chance of it spreading. A biopsy or removal will be carried out depending on the size of the cancer. Tissue samples will be sent for examination, as this will aid in diagnosis and help determine the type of treatment required. If the melanoma has spread more surgery may be required to take more of the affected skin. Samples from lymph nodes that are near to the cancer may be tested for spread, then chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be required to treat this spread. Once a melanoma has been diagnosed, a patient may be referred to an oncologist (a doctor who specialises in cancer). A melanoma that is in the early stages can be treated more successfully and cure rates are much higher than one that has spread.

What to expect
The doctor will assess the appearance and surface of the mole or lesion then, using advanced dermoscopy technology, will diagnose and treat lesions where appropriate.

Find Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Molecheck appointments and examinations here.

Skin Cancer
New Zealand has a very high rate of skin cancer, when compared to other countries. The most common forms of skin cancer usually appear on areas of skin that have been over-exposed to the sun.

Risk factors for developing skin cancer are: prolonged exposure to the sun; people with fair skin; and possibly over-exposure to UV light from sun beds.

There are three main types of skin cancers: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

This is the most common type and is found on skin surfaces that are exposed to sun. A BCC remains localised and does not usually spread to other areas of the body. Sometimes BCCs can ulcerate and scab so it is important not to mistake it for a sore.

BCCs occur more commonly on the face, back of hands and back. They appear usually as small, red lumps that don’t heal and sometimes bleed or become itchy. They have the tendency to change in size and sometimes in colour.

Treatment

Often a BCC can be diagnosed just by its appearance. In other cases it will be removed totally and sent for examination and diagnosis, or a biopsy may be taken and just a sample sent for diagnosis.

Removal of a BCC will require an appointment with a doctor or surgeon. It will be termed minor surgery and will require a local anaesthetic (numbing of the area) and possibly some stitches. A very small number of BCCs will require a general anaesthetic (you will sleep through the operation) for removal.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

This type of skin cancer also affects areas of the skin that have exposure to the sun. The most common area is the face, but an SCC can also affect other parts of the body and can spread to other parts of the body. The spreading (metastasising) can potentially be fatal if not successfully treated.

A SCC usually begins as a keratosis that looks like an area of thickened scaly skin, it may then develop into a raised, hard lump which enlarges. SCCs can sometimes be painful. Often the edges are irregular and it can appear wart like, the colour can be reddish brown. Sometimes it can appear like a recurring ulcer that does not heal.

All SCCs will need to be removed, because of their potential for spread. The removal and diagnosis is the same as for a BCC.

Malignant Melanoma

This is the most serious form of skin cancer. It can spread to other parts of the body and people can die from this disease.

A melanoma usually starts as a pigmented growth on normal skin. They often, but not always, occur on areas that have high sun exposure. In some cases, a melanoma may develop from existing pigmented moles.

What to look for:

an existing mole that changes colour (it may be black, dark blue or even red and white)
the colour pigment may be uneven
the edges of the mole/freckle may be irregular and have a spreading edge
the surface of the mole/freckle may be flaky/crusted and raised
sudden growth of an existing or new mole/freckle
inflammation and or itchiness surrounding an existing or new mole/freckle.

Treatment

It is important that any suspect moles or freckles are checked by a GP or a dermatologist. The sooner a melanoma is treated, there is less chance of it spreading.

A biopsy or removal will be carried out depending on the size of the cancer. Tissue samples will be sent for examination, as this will aid in diagnosis and help determine the type of treatment required. If the melanoma has spread more surgery may be required to take more of the affected skin. Samples from lymph nodes that are near to the cancer may be tested for spread, then chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be required to treat this spread.

Once a melanoma has been diagnosed, a patient may be referred to an oncologist (a doctor who specialises in cancer).

A melanoma that is in the early stages can be treated more successfully and cure rates are much higher than one that has spread.