It seems every year our lives get busier and busier, demands rise, and the complexities of life continue to add further burden. Unfortunately, this often means we neglect ourselves. This is seen daily with regards to one’s health. Without going into all the flow-on effects to one’s health from our ‘push through’ attitude (as this would create a doorway to almost all aspects of healthcare), let’s talk about the common thought that nags away but we often leave for years – that concerning mole.

As a Skin Cancer Doctor here at HealthZone Medical, I base the required work in this field within my General Practice. We don’t heavily advertise this, but want to make sure our patients and local area are aware that I am available to all patients, not just enrolled, for these services.

My first statement is, nothing will be as good as having a full-body mole check, in person, with a skin cancer professional trained in dermoscopy like myself. Here at HealthZone this costs $150, and will last about 30 minutes. However if you can’t get to us, just have one or two moles you want to check, and have a smartphone, let me introduce you to Firstcheck.

Firstcheck is an app that allows you to take photos of your moles (ideally with the ‘SkinScope’ tool available to purchase through the app for improved doctor feedback and advice). You can then send these photos plus any relevant history (which is prompted for at the time with a questionnaire), and then select the specialist who you wish to review this. Wait time? Minimal wait, within 24-48 hours at most you’ll have a report back from the specialist.

As one of the Firstcheck doctors providing this service, I’ve been able to help many patients identify concerning lesions but often alieve concerns about moles that are fine, erasing that nagging burden they’ve had for weeks, months, or potentially years.

So for the time poor, here is your next best option.

 

Dr Sam Mayhew
FRNZCGP MBChB DipPaed DipDermoscopy DipSkinCancerMed
Fellow Skin Cancer Institute
FIFA DipFootballMed
HPSNZ Medical Director for Triathlon NZ and Pathway 2 Podium

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HealthZone is a vibrant medical practice set in the midst of AUT Millennium and comprises a team of doctors providing elite healthcare for all. Keeping patients healthy is the bottom line at HealthZone, through regular health screening (such as diabetic testing, asthma screening, well person checks for insurance medicals, along with medical surgical procedures by appointment). We place a high value on knowing our patients as individuals. We welcome new patients with no referral necessary.

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