Australia has one of the highest UV levels in the world, so it is natural to wonder how often to get your skin looked at. The honest answer is that it depends on your personal risk, because there is no single interval that suits everyone. This guide explains what Cancer Council Australia recommends, who counts as higher risk, how self-checks fit in between visits, and how to book a skin check at Harpley Doctors in Werribee.
Key Takeaways
- There is no set guideline on how often everyone should be checked for skin cancer.
- Cancer Council Australia does not recommend population-wide skin cancer screening.
- People at high risk of melanoma are advised to have full skin examinations every six months.
- Everyone else should check their own skin and see a doctor about new or changing spots.
Why there is no single answer
Skin cancer is very common here. About 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with some form of it before the age of 70, and more than 95% of skin cancers are caused by exposure to UV radiation. Even so, Cancer Council’s page on skin cancer causes, symptoms and risks states there is no set guideline on how often to check for skin cancer.
Instead, the answer to “how often should you have a skin check?” depends on your risk. If you have had a skin cancer before, or you are at greater risk, your doctor will do regular check-ups and tell you how often to check your own skin. For everyone else, the focus is on knowing your skin and acting quickly when something changes.
How often should you have a skin check if you are higher risk?
Cancer Council Australia’s position statement on early detection of skin cancer sets out who is at increased or high risk. It includes people with:
- fair skin that tends to burn rather than tan, freckles, light eyes, or light or red hair
- increased numbers of unusual moles
- a weakened immune system
- a family history of melanoma in a parent, sibling or child
- a previous melanoma or other skin cancer.
The statement notes that people at higher risk of skin cancer should have clinical skin examinations every 6 to 12 months, with or without photography, as recommended by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. For those at high risk of melanoma, Cancer Council recommends a 6-monthly full skin examination supported by total body photography and dermoscopy. If you are not sure which group you are in, your GP can talk through your history and give you a schedule that suits you.
If you are at average risk
Cancer Council does not recommend population-based screening for melanoma or other skin cancers, because there is not enough high-level evidence that it reduces deaths from melanoma. For people at average risk, the advice is to do regular self-checks and see a doctor if you notice a new spot, or a change in the size, shape or colour of an existing one.
That does not mean you should wait if something worries you. If you are asking how often you should have a skin check because a spot has caught your eye, the answer is now. Book an appointment rather than waiting for a routine check.
Not sure how often you need your skin checked? Talk to one of our GPs about your risk and book a full skin check, seven days a week in Harpley Town Centre.
Self-checks between visits
Most skin cancers are found by people themselves, so a regular skin self-check is worth the few minutes it takes. In a room with good light, undress completely and use a full-length mirror to check your whole body. Use a hand mirror or ask someone to help with areas that are hard to see, such as your back, scalp and the back of your neck.
Cancer Council suggests a calendar reminder for the first day of each month, or a check at each change of season. Smartphone apps cannot reliably detect skin cancer, so use them only as a reminder or a record, never as a diagnosis. A skin check can also sit alongside your other medical check-ups, and our article on regular health check-ups explains why they matter.
Reducing your risk
Checks find skin cancer early, but prevention matters too. Use sun protection whenever the UV Index is 3 or above, as Cancer Council’s Be SunSmart advice recommends. Damage from UV adds up over time and cannot be reversed, and the risk factors Cancer Council lists include working outdoors. If that includes you, our occupational health service is another place to raise it.
Skin checks at Harpley Doctors
Harpley Doctors offers full-body skin checks in Werribee, as well as minor skin procedures and small-scale surgeries. Dr Reda Aboelsaad’s interests include skin lesion removal, and Dr Khalida Batool’s include dermatology. You can read more on our team page.
All consultations and procedures are bulk billed. The bulk billing information is on our patient information and fees page.
In the end, it comes down to your own risk, and a conversation with your GP is the best way to work it out. You can book online through HealthEngine or call (03) 8731 1330.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should everyone have a yearly skin check?
There is no set guideline for everyone. Cancer Council recommends regular checks by a doctor for people at higher risk, and self-checks plus a doctor’s visit for any new or changing spot for everyone else.
How often should I check my own skin?
Cancer Council suggests making a regular time, such as the first day of each month or each change of season. If you are at higher risk, your doctor will tell you how often to check.
How much is a skin check at Harpley Doctors?
Skin checks are bulk billed, like all consultations and procedures at Harpley Doctors.
Can I book a skin check on the weekend?
Yes. Harpley Doctors is open Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. See our guide to weekend and extended GP hours for full opening times.
Find out what skin check routine suits you. Book with Harpley Doctors online through HealthEngine or by phone.