Early detection of skin cancer does save lives

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The Cancer Council Australia confirms that Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Anyone can develop skin cancer and the risk increases as you get older.

Currently there is no formal screening program for skin cancers in Australia, therefore, many skin doctors and specialists recommend people become familiar with their skin and even if you don't notice any changes, have a routine skin check.

Dr Kshemendra Tillekeratne runs a skin cancer clinic at the ESK Family Health Care Centre, performing; skin checks, removal surgeries, procedures and biopsy of skin lesions.

"I cannot stress the importance to everyone to get their skin checked by a specially trained skin cancer doctor, as this can prevent catastrophic outcomes," Dr Tillekeratne said.

"Most of the melanomas I have detected during the last two years were found during routine skin checks.

"Not many patients actually presented with any grave concern initially.

"I have diagnosed skin cancers on patients that did not even attend the consultation for that reason."

Dr Tillekeratne says most skin cancers, especially melanomas, are asymptomatic at the early stage and can only be diagnosed during a proper examination.

"The smallest melanoma I have diagnosed was 1.5 mm in size and again this diagnosis happened in a routine skin check appointment, but historically, even smaller melanomas have been detected," he said.

While it is true the majority of skin cancers are due to UV damage from sun exposure, it is important to note that not all skin cancers are a direct result of sun exposure.

"This highlights the often unknown fact that you do not need to have had sun exposure or sunburn to still be at risk of developing a melanoma," he said.

"People can get melanomas on areas that have never seen the sun, such as; under arms and nails, groins and soles of the feet."

The fact that up to 80 per cent of diagnosed skin cancers are managed by primary care practitioners triggered Dr Tillekeratne to obtain a Diploma in skin cancer medicine and surgery.

"I have always been interested in performing skin surgeries, that was the driver for me to further my studies and has resulted in me practicing skin cancer management at the primary care level," he said.

"Among the services I can offer are; full body skin checks, the management of skin cancers and the removal of skin cancers from almost all areas of the body."

He says it is very important to diagnose and treat skin cancers as early as possible as the sooner they are identified and treated, the better your chance of avoiding surgery or, in the case of a serious melanoma or other skin cancer, potential disfigurement or even death.

Dr Tillekeratne's mission statement is "early detection saves lives."

"Let's create a world where no one dies from skin cancer," he said.

Early detection could do just that.

Make an appointment now at the ESK Skin Cancer Clinic. NEW PATIENTS are welcome and no referral is required. Please note, it is not necessary to transfer your patient records to visit the ESK Skin Cancer Clinic for a skin check.

The ESK Skin Cancer Clinic is run out of our practice, The ESK Family Health Care Centre, which offers a high level of General Practice service. We are currently accepting New Patients for registration. Ring (03) 6331 2355 or go to our website: Esk family Health Care Centre

You will find us at 33 Brisbane St, Launceston.

This is advertiser content for ESK Family Health Care Centre.