Skin Screening

High Definition Digital Skin Screening using one of the most advance digital skin screening systems, FotoFinder.

FotoFinder dermoscope offers a complete and detailed systematic skin screening, digitally aided body mapping and enhanced imaging of your skin in order to aid early detection of potentially cancerous lesions.

In addition, the fully integrated system enhances the visual diagnostics of suspect lesions up to the power of 70+ in order to significantly improve visualisation of potential melanoma detection. Goldfields Occupational Medicine is now able to offer this very advanced service to the public out of Kalgoorlie.

Our integrated system offers the Mediscope enhanced camera aided dermoscope. Body studio to scan the full body and allow a comparison scan 4 months later. This highly computerised system then superimposes the two scanned body images and automatically alerts the health care professional of any skin lesions, moles or suspicious lesions that may have changed or appeared since the base line scan. In addition we have integrated the advanced optical imagery of the handy scope and Dermoscope that allow penetrating light sources to assist clinicians with high definition diagnostic quality images that can be significantly enlarged to aid in determining if the lesions is suspicious or not. Skin Screening is no longer left to the ageing and possibly deteriorating human eye to identify changes. The FotoFinder advanced computerised system can now identify lesions itself and draw the clinicians attention to what may in the past, seemed to be a minor lesion. In addition your scanned images are stored and on your future visits the same lesions can be re scanned and examined to detect early changes and allow timely intervention.

Prevention is always better than cure by using the national cancer council advisory "Slip, Slop, Slap" plan. However with the Australian sun, skin cancers are on the rise and early detection as well as prevention is essential.

The cost of advanced adjunctive diagnostics can be high on people living in the Goldfields when they are required to travel to Perth or Interstate to access these services. Goldfields Occupational Medicine Recognises this and has now installed the complete advanced digital adjunctive diagnostic system to reduce costs and disadvantages associated with distance from major cities where these devices are.

Preparation

If you would like to take advantage of this service you do not need your doctors referral. You can simply call us and make a booking. There will need to be a minimum of two assessments using the Body Studio system to perform your skin screen. These are usually carried out 4 months apart and are included in your initial consult fee.

Results of your screens are able to be printed in high quality definition photos or we can 128 bit encrypt email so your result can be accessed by your family doctor for your personal medical files. If your doctor would then like to take advantage of a penetration light scan using the mediscope camera we will provide that service to your doctor free of charge within the surrounds of our professional clinic.

In order to prepare for your body scan you are asked to:

  • Phone us and make a booking for your base line screen.
  • Make payment for the skin screen within 24 hours after making your initial booking or your booking will be cancelled.
  • On the day of your screen we ask that you wear firm fitting brief style underwear. Ladies may wear a two piece bikini or bra and Bikini underwear.
  • Do not wear make up or skin moisturisers prior to the scan
  • Attend 5 – 10 minutes prior to your appointment time. We do offer free text message reminders of your intended booking as a failure to attend will result in a no refund applying.
  • Provide us with your local doctors name, address and email address
  • If your doctor has referred you we ask that you ensure he or she provides us with any specific concerns they have with any lesion he or she has been monitoring.

Skin Scanning

Your Bodystudio skin screen will require that you are systematically photographed under laser guided positioning to ensure accuracy of future scans. To ensure your privacy and comfort, our screenings are performed in very private surroundings with no unnecessary exposure. You will be offered a clinician of the same sex to perform your base line and follow up skin screen/s. Your skin screen images are digitally locked and encrypted and are not networked to the outside world so as to provide the highest levels of security. Any data that you consent to your doctor gaining access to via digital means will be 128-bit encrypted and locked. We can then safely send the files to your doctor by high speed internet however they cannot access the files unless they know the passwords and access codes. Your digital images, with computer aided vanity shields, can then be uploaded to your preferred doctors computer system and on to your personal medical record. Alternatively, after your scan you may walk away with high definition color digital images on CD in a secure and private envelope.

At the time of your base line skin screen, if we notice a lesion that is suspicious we will deep light penetrate this lesion under high powered 20 by 70 resolution and photograph this for your GP to review. You will be formally referred to them for their expert opinion. After your base line skin screen is completed we will arrange your follow up body scan and make the appointment. The one off fee is all inclusive of your two body skin screens as to allow comparison of any lesions over the passage of time. (Usually 4 Months after the base line screen).

Medical Practioner Consulting

Should your General practitioner wish to have further lesions examined using our high definition Dermoscope or mediscope we will:

  • Offer your doctor the use of our dedicated consult rooms at not charge to them.
  • They can then utilise the dermoscopes and advanced computer aided systems to complement your care
  • They will arrange this private consult with you at our practice and we will not charge for the use of the rooms at that time.
  • If they wish to utilise our advanced and modern surgical intervention treatment rooms we will also provide this service by private arrangement with them.

Group Skin Screen Body Mapping

Large industrial settings and work places often offer this service to their employees. While we prefer to provide this service within our practice so as to allow the computer link with our central server, we have the ability to provide this service on site or in your workplace. We have invested in a mobile skin screen unit so workplaces can take advantage of an on-site skin screening service.

Alternatively, at the time of your pre booked medical we can also complete the primary base line skin screen if your employer advises us and you wish to take advantage of this service. Your employer or workplace will need to be able to provide a private area so we can perform the assessments.

Future Follow-Up Screening

After your Medical Doctor has reviewed your base line screen and follow up screen, he or she may advise that you have future screens on an annual or more frequent basis. Follow up skin screens will be charged at a significantly lesser rate than your primary consult. You should keep in mind that computer aided advanced digital skin screening does not take the place of the clinical skill of our doctor. We encourage that your results are always sent to your nominated doctor each and every time. This advanced, computer aided digital skin screening aids your doctor in their determination of the type of lesion they are looking at and helps you to minimise your risk, as well as aiding in early detection of suspicious skin lesions. In addition, the unit can be used to assist your doctor to microscopically examine healing wounds and suture lines to aid in clinical decision making of timely suture removal or wound care interventions and their microscopic progress.

Clinical Dates

Due to the high demand of this service, we encourage that bookings are made for weekends. We will do our best to accommodate your booking on a weekend or if you are a shift worker. We will negotiate an after hours consult where and when possible so you can access this service.

Fees

Some health care funds may provide you with a rebate on the initial body skin screen based on preventative health care management You should speak with your private health care fund to see if your are covered. We will issue you with a comprehensive receipt at the time of payment so you can present this to your health care fund provider.

We must remind you that your failure to attend an appointment will result in a no refund policy. This is a very expensive service to provide to the community and your failure to attend inconveniences other patients considerably who are willing or need to attend.

Goldfields Occupational Medicine wishes to remind you that this advanced technology is an adjunctive diagnostic tool. You should always provide your family general practitioner with your skin screen results for a professional and skilled clinical opinion. While the computer aided devices can accurately identify suspect lesions, they do not take the place of your general practitioners skills and experience, rather they enhance early detection. Always remember that prevention is better than cure and early detection and correct intervention could save your life.