About Us

Our Practice

Founded in 2014 by the late Dr Graham McCrory, the Launceston Skin Cancer Clinic has continued to grow and is now home to 4 doctors.
Appointments are available 6 days a week from Monday – Saturday.

A state-of-the-art procedure room operates in close proximity to 3 purpose designed consulting rooms, providing patients with access to surgical options outside of a hospital setting. Digital dermatoscopy is used in conjunction with photographic images to monitor concerning moles.

FAQs

Do I need a referral?
No. Patients can book directly and are able to receive a Medicare Rebate without a referral from another doctor.
In addition to this, our Skin Cancer Doctors do welcome referrals from other practitioners for example when a second opinion is required.
A copy of visit notes can be sent to the patients regular GP upon request.

What does a skin check involve?
When you go for a skin check, the doctor will begin the consultation by asking you some questions about your risk factors for skin cancer and if you’ve had any skin cancers before. It’s important to tell your doctor if you have a mole or spot in particular that you are concerned about and why, such as if it’s bleeding, growing or changing.

Next, the doctor will ask you to undress. Generally, your underwear is kept on.
If you are uncomfortable at any stage, let your doctor know so that the examination can be modified to ensure you are comfortable.

Then, the doctor will examine your skin under magnification.
This can involve the doctor getting quite close to you using a dermatoscope.

Sometimes the doctor might take photographs of suspicious moles or spots and explain to you why they might be a skin cancer.

If any spots are detected that need treatment, the doctor will explain your treatment options to you and any costs involved so that you feel fully informed and understand the pros and cons of any treatments.

What happens if something is found?
Different types of cancers have different treatment options.

Sometimes your doctor might want to take a biopsy to find out precisely what needs to be done to treat your skin cancer.

This involved an injection of local anaesthetic, removing a small sample of skin with a ‘punch’ or a ‘shave’, and then maybe a stitch.

Some cancers can be treated using special creams which treat the cancer by ‘burning them off’, so-to-speak.

Some cancers need removing with surgery. This again involves an injection of local anaesthetic, removing the cancer, and stitches to sew up the wound.

In some cases, the cancer might require more extensive surgery, such as a flap or a graft. This involves closing larger wounds with skin from elsewhere on the body but is usually reserved for bigger cancers.

The main risks of removing skin cancers are infection, bleeding and scarring, but these risks are usually small and preferable to not removing the cancer.

How do I receive my results?
The staff at the skin cancer clinic will contact you regarding results (usually a few working days after the biopsy / excision) and organise any follow up as required.

Your Rights

If you have a problem, we would like to hear about it. Please feel free to talk to your doctor or receptionist. You may prefer to write to us or use our suggestion box. We take your concerns, suggestions and complaints seriously. However, if you wish to take the matter further and feel that you need to discuss the matter outside of the surgery, please phone the Health Quality & Complaints Commission on 1800 001 170 (free call in Tasmania) or send an email to health.complaints@ombudsman.tas.gov.au.