Skin cancer treatment, Geelong

Skin cancers start in the epidermis with the development of abnormal cells that can spread to other parts of the body. The three main types of skin cancer are basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer and melanoma.

Skin cancer is a disease of the skin cells caused by, in most instances, over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation in the sun’s rays. Everyone is at risk – not just fair-skinned people. People who have had organ transplants or take immunosuppressive medications are at higher risk, as are some who have a family history or suffer from certain skin conditions.

One in two Australians will experience skin cancer in their lifetime, and our country has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Skin cancer is one of the few almost totally preventable cancers and can be successfully treated in most cases.

Pre-cancerous conditions include:

• Solar (actinic) keratosis
• Bowen’s disease.

Main types of skin cancer are:

• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
• Melanoma.

What does a skin cancer look like?

• Spots which look different to others around it
• Spots which change colour, size or shape over a period of weeks to months
• Spots which ulcerate, bleed, weep or itch and don’t heal
• A flat irregularly shaped spot.

Sometimes a sample of tissue (a biopsy) is taken to confirm the nature of the lesion. Mr Anthony McDonald may choose to carry out a biopsy to ensure the correct diagnosis of any skin cancer, and to ensure that the correct treatment plan is adopted.

For treatment of all skin cancers, contact us at Mr Anthony McDonald Plastic Surgeon for a consultation.