Skin cancer checks · West Pennant Hills
A thorough skin check, close to home
A full-body skin examination and dermoscopy with Dr Donna Jenkins, our skin cancer GP, at 70 Castle Hill Road. No referral needed, and most concerns can be assessed, documented and managed in a single visit.
- Book directly with Dr Jenkins. New or existing patients, no referral.
- Dermoscopy and full-body examination. A closer look than the naked eye allows.
- Procedures on-site where needed. Biopsies and many removals done here, not referred away.
Is it time for a skin check?
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Found early, most skin cancers are far simpler to treat, which is why a regular check is one of the easiest things you can do for your long-term health.
Don't wait for a routine check. Book a focused spot appointment and mention it when you call, so we set aside the right time.
What happens
What a skin check involves
No surprises, and nothing rushed. Here is how a typical appointment with Dr Jenkins runs from start to finish.
A full-body examination
In a private room, your GP examines your skin from scalp to soles, including the spots that are easy to miss. You stay as comfortable as possible throughout.
Dermoscopy of anything of concern
A dermatoscope lets us look beneath the surface of a spot, far more than the naked eye can see, so subtle changes are easier to pick up.
A clear plan
We talk you through what we found: what looks healthy, what is worth keeping an eye on, and whether anything needs a closer look. You leave knowing the next step.
On-site procedures if needed
If a spot needs a biopsy or removal, we can often do it here under local anaesthetic, with a quote first, so you are not sent elsewhere.
Skin services, from first check to follow-up
Full skin check
A head-to-toe examination of your skin, with dermoscopy of any spots that warrant a closer look.
Mole monitoring
Keeping an eye on moles over time so changes are easier to spot at your next visit. Ideal if you have many moles.
Dermoscopy
Magnified, illuminated examination of individual spots to assess structure beneath the surface.
Spot and lesion checks
Worried about one particular spot? Book a focused appointment for a single area of concern.
Biopsies and excisions
Where a spot needs sampling or removal, many procedures are done on-site under local anaesthetic.
Results and follow-up
Clear explanation of any results, a written plan, and continuity with the same GP over time.
Between checks
What to look for yourself: the ABCDEs
You see your skin more than any doctor does. If a spot shows any of these signs, book a focused appointment. This is a prompt to get something looked at, not a way to diagnose yourself.
Asymmetry
One half of the spot does not match the other.
Border
Edges that are uneven, ragged, blurred or notched.
Colour
More than one colour, or an uneven mix of shades.
Diameter
Larger than about 6mm, though smaller spots can matter too.
Evolving
Changing in size, shape or colour, or starting to itch or bleed.
What a GP skin check covers, and when we refer on
A GP skin check handles the large majority of what people need. Being clear about the rest is part of looking after you properly.
What we do here
- Full-body skin examinations and dermoscopy
- Mole monitoring over time
- Biopsies and many lesion removals on-site
- Management of common skin cancers and sun damage
- Clear results, written plans and ongoing review
When we refer you on
- Complex melanoma surgery or reconstruction
- Lesions needing dermatology or plastic surgery input
- Cases requiring oncology or a multidisciplinary team
- Anything outside the safe scope of general practice
Skin checks for West Pennant Hills and the Hills District
Rosedale Medical Practice is on the ground floor at 70 Castle Hill Road, West Pennant Hills. We see patients from Cherrybrook, Castle Hill, Pennant Hills, Beecroft and across the Hills, and we've looked after local families here since 1997.
Common questions about skin checks
Do I need a referral for a skin check?
No. You can book a skin check directly with us as a new or existing patient. A referral is only needed if your care later requires a specialist.
How often should I have a skin check?
It depends on your personal risk. Many adults have one yearly, while people with higher risk, such as a history of skin cancer or many moles, may be advised to come more often. Your GP will suggest an interval that suits you.
Does a skin check hurt?
The examination itself is painless. If a spot needs a biopsy or removal, we use local anaesthetic so the procedure is comfortable, and we explain everything before anything is done.
What happens if you find something suspicious?
We explain what we have seen and the options. Depending on the spot, that may mean monitoring it, taking a small biopsy, removing it, or referring you to a specialist. You will always leave with a clear plan and the next step.
How long does a skin check take?
A full skin check usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes, a little longer if dermoscopy of several spots or a procedure is needed. We do not rush these appointments.
What does a skin check cost?
Rosedale is a private-billing practice. A skin check attracts a consultation fee with a Medicare rebate, and any procedure such as a biopsy is quoted before it goes ahead. You can see our published fees on the fees page.
I have noticed one changing spot. Can I just get that looked at?
Yes. Book a focused spot check for the area that is worrying you, rather than waiting for a full annual skin check. Mention it when you call if you would like us to set aside extra time.
Give your skin the once-over it's due
Most spots are nothing to worry about. The ones that matter are far easier to deal with when they are found early, and a check with Dr Jenkins is a simple place to start.
Rosedale Medical Practice · Care Outside the Box ® · Caring for West Pennant Hills since 1997 · GP-owned and family-run