Skin Cancer Services
Woodend & Macedon Ranges
SkinGP provides dedicated skin cancer diagnosis and treatment to patients across the Macedon Ranges and Central Victoria. Our clinic is purpose-built for this work, staffed by Accredited Skin Cancer Doctors, and equipped with advanced imaging technology, all under one roof in Woodend. Where treatment is required, it can be administered here in the clinic: this rapid response directly improves patient outcomes.
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No referral is required for any of our services. New patients are welcome.
Full Skin Checks
A Full Skin Check at SkinGP is a comprehensive, head-to-toe examination of your skin.
The appointment typically takes 30 to 40 minutes and is conducted in two stages.
Every appointment at SkinGP is supported by the FotoFinder system, an integrated skin imaging platform that brings together three distinct capabilities in a single workflow. This is the same technology used in leading skin cancer clinics internationally, available here in Woodend.
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Do not wear makeup - this can affect the quality of facial imaging
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Wear loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to remove
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Remove nail polish if possible - nails are examined as part of a full skin check
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Let your hair out so the scalp can be examined
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Bring your Medicare card and any concession card if applicable
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New patients: bring any relevant documentation relating to your skin history
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Transferring from another clinic: contact reception in advance to arrange medical records transfer
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1. Automated Total Body Dermoscopy
Our nursing team captures high-resolution photographs of your entire skin surface - a complete digital map of every mole and lesion, stored and used as a baseline for future comparisons. Think of it as a Google Earth for your skin.
2. Video Medicam Dermatoscope
Individual moles and lesions are examined at up to 400x magnification, revealing cellular structures beneath the skin's surface that are invisible to the naked eye. Each image links back to its position on the full-body map.
3. Moleanalyzer Pro: AI-Assisted Analysis
Artificial intelligence trained on thousands of lesion images provides an additional analytical layer, flagging moles with unusual characteristics or patterns. This supports - but never replaces - the clinical judgement of our Accredited Skin Cancer Doctors.​
4. Results
At the end of your consultation, you will receive a clear outcome. Subtle changes are logged, tracked, and visually compared at every visit, so early changes that might otherwise be missed become visible over time. If further treatment is required, follow-up appointments are arranged and you will be placed on our reminder system for scheduled Skin Reviews.
Regardless of your results, you will leave with a clear understanding of your skin health and your next steps:
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No concerns identified: you will be added to our reminder system for your next recommended check
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Monitoring recommended: a follow-up appointment will be scheduled with guidance on what to watch for in the interim
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Procedure required: your doctor will discuss the findings, recommended approach, and associated fees before proceeding
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Biopsy taken: results are typically available within a few days and will be discussed at a follow-up appointment or by phone
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SkinGP Skin Cancer Clinic does not perform complete total body photography (TBP, mole mapping) for patients under 18 years of age. This policy ensures we maintain the highest standards of privacy, consent, and safeguarding for young people.
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For minors, we instead focus on targeted clinical imaging of areas of concern, providing safe and appropriate documentation for medical care. A parent or legal guardian must be present at the appointment for all patients under 18.
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Please contact our friendly reception team to book a comprehensive skin check for a minor.
Urgent Lesion Review
I've noticed a spot that's changing - what should I do?
Some skin cancers can develop rapidly, sometimes within weeks. If you notice an abnormal skin lesion that is growing quickly, changing in appearance, or causing concern, contact SkinGP promptly for an Urgent Lesion Review.
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For the fastest response, please call us directly on (03) 9969 5000.
An Urgent Lesion Review typically takes 5 to 10 minutes and focuses on the assessment of one or two specific lesions.
If a biopsy is needed, this can often be performed at the same appointment. If the lesion is found to be benign, you will receive reassurance and educational guidance. If it is cancerous, early intervention can mean a smaller surgical procedure and, in some cases, a significantly better outcome.
Photographic Monitoring of Mildly Atypical Lesions
Photographic monitoring is used for the short-term follow-up of mildly atypical moles, lesions that do not clearly require immediate biopsy but warrant closer observation.
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With our doctors' advanced training and the FotoFinder ATBM imaging system, the vast majority of moles can be confidently classified at your Full Skin Check. In some cases, however, even experienced doctors require a structured follow-up to monitor for any change.
What if my doctor wants to monitor a mole?
The lesion is photographed both macroscopically and microscopically during your visit. You will be scheduled to return, typically around three months later, for a comparative assessment. If no significant change is observed, monitoring continues on a semi-regular basis. If suspicious changes are identified, a biopsy will be recommended.
Biopsies
What is a skin biopsy and what does it involve?
A skin biopsy is a diagnostic procedure in which a sample of skin tissue is removed and sent to a pathology laboratory to determine whether it is cancerous or pre-cancerous. SkinGP performs two types of skin biopsy:
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Partial Biopsy
A small sample of tissue is taken from a larger lesion. This is a quick, minimally invasive procedure that typically heals within a few days.
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Excision Biopsy
The entire lesion is surgically removed, typically requiring a small number of sutures to close the wound. This approach is used where a lesion is suspicious or where a comprehensive pathological assessment is required for accurate diagnosis.
Both types of biopsy are performed under local anaesthetic at SkinGP. Results are typically available within a few days, at which point your doctor will discuss the findings and any recommended treatment.
Non-Surgical Treatments
Depending on the type and stage of skin cancer or pre-cancerous lesion identified, your doctor may recommend one of the following non-surgical treatment options. Your doctor will advise which treatment is appropriate for your specific condition.
What non-surgical treatments are available for skin cancer?
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy abnormal skin cells or lesions. It is a commonly used treatment for pre-cancerous skin conditions such as actinic keratosis (solar keratosis) and some early-stage skin cancers.
5-FU (Efudix)
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a topical chemotherapy cream that targets rapidly dividing cells. It is used to treat actinic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ.
Imiquimod (Aldara)
Imiquimod is an immune response modifier that activates the immune system to target abnormal skin cells. It is used to treat certain types of skin cancer, including superficial basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis.
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
PDT is a medically supervised treatment that uses a light-sensitive cream applied to the affected area, which is then activated by exposure to a specific wavelength of red LED light.
The PDT process selectively destroys abnormal cells while preserving healthy tissue.
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PDT is used to treat solar keratosis, Bowen's disease (squamous cell carcinoma in situ), and some superficial basal cell carcinomas. It is not a cosmetic treatment.
PDT is performed at SkinGP and followed up with clinical review to ensure the best possible outcome.
Surgical Treatments
Surgical excision is the preferred treatment for most skin cancers, offering the highest cure rates and, in most cases, faster healing than non-surgical alternatives.
How is skin cancer surgically treated?
Our doctors perform surgical procedures under local anaesthetic at SkinGP, treating lesions that range from small and straightforward to larger and more complex.
Every procedure is guided by three priorities: complete removal of the cancer, preservation of function in the affected area, and minimising scarring for the best possible cosmetic outcome.
Depending on the size and location of the cancer, closure may be achieved through direct suturing, or — for larger or more complex resections — through advanced techniques such as local flaps or grafts.
Your doctor will discuss the approach recommended for your specific case.
Specialist Referrals
While our Accredited Skin Cancer Doctors are qualified to diagnose and treat the majority of skin cancers, there are circumstances where a referral to a specialist is the most appropriate course of action. For example, where a lesion is in a complex anatomical location or requires specialist reconstructive surgical expertise.
What if I need to be referred to a specialist?
When a referral is made, SkinGP provides the receiving specialist with precise, comprehensive documentation, including biopsy results and high-quality photographic records of all relevant lesions. This ensures continuity of care and the fastest possible pathway to your next step.
General Practice Appointments
SkinGP is a dedicated skin cancer clinic.
Our books for general practice are closed and general practice appointments are not currently available.
This reflects the clinic's specialised focus: all clinical capacity is dedicated to skin cancer medicine, skin checks, and skin cancer procedures.
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For general practice needs, please contact your regular GP or a local general practice clinic.
