Skin cancer is on the increase in the UK. Cases
of malignant melanoma have risen by 2,000 per
cent in the last 60 years.
It has the fastest growing number of incidents
of all cancers in the UK, with Surrey having one
of the highest rates.
People born in 1935 could have expected a one in
fifteen hundred chance of developing the disease
in their lifetime. For people born in 2000 that
chance is now 1 in 74 and, if we don’t change
our habits, it may even be as high as 1 in 7.*
There are more skin cancers now than every other
type of cancer combined.
COULD YOU HAVE
UNDETECTED SKIN
CANCER?
* These
figures are from Professor Martin
Weinstock, a world expert in skin
cancers.
There are three main forms of skin cancer:
1. Basal cell cancer (Rodent ulcer)
2. Squamous cell cancer
3. Malignant melanoma
Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous form of
skin cancer, killing around 2300 people every
year. It can be quite aggressive, spreading
quickly.
Detecting even the smallest changes in
a mole and early intervention can save lives.
The main cause of skin cancer is too much sun.
If you have burned in the past either from the
sun or sun beds, have fair skin that’s burns
easily, spent time in sunny climates, work
outside, have close relatives who have had skin
cancer or have a lot of moles you have a higher
risk of getting a malignant melanoma.
Mole Scanning
How Can the Mole Scanning Clinic Help
You?
Are you worried about moles or sun damaged skin
or have a mole or lesion that has changed-
becoming larger, changing colour , itching,
bleeding easily, scaly, crusty or non-healing?
LATEST DEVICE IN SKIN
CANCER
DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY
At MOLE SCANNING CLINIC we provide a mole
screening and scanning service not available on
the NHS.
Our MOLE SCANNING & SCREENING process uses the
latest technology in skin cancer accuracy. It is
a first class service and is more likely to be
accurate than checks done by GPs.
What happens during a Mole Scanning
consultation?
A Specialist Nurse will take a history from you
and make a risk assessment from previous sun or
sun bed exposure, genetic and visual
information. You will be advised on how to
minimise your risk. Sun advice and skin cancer
leaflets will be given.
If requested, a full body examination is
performed using a magnifying aspheric lens,
during which you will not be required to remove
underwear.
If any unusual moles or lesions are found they
are marked with a washable marker pen and a more
accurate assessment is offered using a
specialist camera.
Will it hurt?
No. Mole Scanning is a painless, non-invasive,
safe and rapid investigation using a special
camera that can analyse the structure of the
skin 2mm. deep. It can detect many types of
suspicious lesions at the early stages, before
they become apparent to the naked eye. The
information is stored to enable the potential
for future comparisons.
How long will it take?
A full examination and assessment will take
approx. 30 minutes. Individual mole scanning
would take an additional 15 minutes per mole.
What happens next?
Mole Scanning is designed to give you immediate
reassurance if the mole is found to be
non-cancerous. A colour analysis print out of
your moles is given to you to take home or to
your GP or Dermatologist for advice on whether
you need any further treatment. In some cases
the nurse may want you to return to monitor your
mole over time. This could avoid unnecessary
removal in the future.
If you have any further questions the Specialist
Nurse will be happy to answer them.
The most frequently asked questions are covered
above in the MOLE
SCANNING section.
Here are some other questions that we are asked;
Do I need a GP referral?
No, you can book directly. A doctor’s referral
is welcome but not required.
I
enjoy getting a tan by taking a holiday abroad
every year. I don't want to give it up but I am
concerned about the long term effects of too
much sun
I have a mole on my face that worries me but
I don't want to bother my GP. I would welcome a
quick check up. Can you give me some advice
without the nagging lectures?
ADVICE ON HOW TO
ENJOY THE SUN SAFELY
Most of us enjoy the warmth of the sun on our
skin. It makes us feel good.
By all means enjoy the sun but protect your skin
with
•
a good quality
sun screen, a higher UV factor
the fairer you are
•
a wide-brimmed
hat
•
UVA and UVB sun
glasses
•
and dark shirt
Try the Spanish way of life-a long lunch in the
shade to avoid the midday sun followed by a
’siesta’.
We provide you with up-to date sun advice
leaflets to take away and read over a cocktail
watching the sun go down….. for peace of mind
come in and get that mole checked out!
Is it important to have a full ‘top to toe’
examination when I only have one mole I am
concerned about?
Often patients may have a particular mole that
is worrying them which may in fact be innocent.
During a full examination another mole or lesion
that you had not noticed may be found to be
suspicious.
The nurse will teach you what to look out for.
However, you may have individual moles scanned
if you wish.
How long will it take to get the results of my
Mole Scanning?
ANALYSIS, ADVICE &
PRINTOUTS
FOR SUSPICIOUS MOLES
Mole Scanning is designed to give you IMMEDIATE
REASSURANCE of a non-cancerous mole unlike some
Mole Clinics.
A colour analysis print out of your moles is
given for you to take home or to your GP or
Dermatologist for advice on what type of further
treatment you may need if your mole is
suspicious.
I
don’t have any moles but I have something else
on my skin that wont heal. Should I come to your
Mole scanning Clinic to have it checked out?
Yes, it may not be obvious to you as a melanoma
but there are other non-melanoma lesions that
may need to be removed by a Dermatologist or
Plastic Surgeon. If left it may be quite
disfiguring. SO IF IN DOUBT CHECK IT OUT!
"I had 2 areas of
skin that had been concerning me. My GP felt
unable to progress things promptly and suggested
I keep an eye out for changes in the size and
shape of these areas and moles. I felt the need
for reassurance, or if there was a problem I
wanted some evidence that would help to speed up
treatment.
At the Mole
Scanning Clinic I received a very
thorough examination and the 2 areas of
skin damage I'd been concerned about
were scanned and assessed. The results
showed that these 2 lesions were indeed
suspicious. Additionally, the Nurse
identified a 3rd lesion she felt should
be checked. This was scanned and also
had a score indicating that it was cause
for concern.
I received very
clear and useful advice and was given
printouts of each lesion, scanned at
various depths of up to 2mm. The
printouts describe the type and size of
the lesion and included 6 images of
each: the location, colour, melanin,
dermal melanin, blood and collagen.
This documentation
together with a letter of referral to my
GP has enabled me to get prompt
appointments at St Peters Hospital
Chertsey (under NICE guidelines) to have
a mole and 2 rodent ulcers removed. The
mole will be sent for further analysis
and I will see a specialist
dermatologist.
I'm pleased that I
took the decision to make the
appointment at the Mole Scanning Clinic
and can strongly recommend this high
quality service."
Chris Grace - Editor of
all about Weybridge website
How Do I
Reduce My Risk Of
Skin Cancer?
Cancer Research UK Sunsmart gives
the following 5 recommendations to reduce your risk of
skin cancer
1
Spend time in the shade between
11am - 3pm
2
Make sure you never burn
3
Aim to cover up with a t-shirt
or hat
4
Remember to take extra care
with the children
5
never use anything less than
factor 15+ sun screen and apply regularly
It is on bus routes 451, 461, 637,646, 682. It
is a 15 minute walk from Weybridge Rail station
or take one of the many taxis which are normally
waiting at the station. From M25 turn off
Junction 11 and follow signs for Weybridge.
Further travel information can be found on the
travel section of the all about Weybridge
website.
Please help us
to help you, by telling businesses
& others you found
them on the all about Weybridge website
& recommending
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