New Town Skin Cancer & Skin Repair Centre

Skin cancers, including potentially deadly melanomas and squamous cell carcinomas, can sometimes appear as blisters, pimples, or simply sores that won't go away. The only definitive way to identify a skin malignancy is to have it assessed by a doctor with training in skin cancer medicine, who will examine the lesion with a dermatoscope and perform a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis. Skin cancers are different to pimples because skin cancers are caused by damaged skin cells, whereas pimples are caused by oil production and clogged pores.

New Town Skin Cancer & Skin Repair Centre is conveniently located on New Town Road, just 10 minutes from the Hobart CBD. Free on-site parking is available in Roope Street and in the designated signed area behind the hotel next to our centre. Please ensure you park in the spaces marked for the New Town Skin Cancer Centre. If you arrive by car, entry via New Town Road is best. If you're taking public transport, Bus Stop 12 is right outside our front door.

Early melanomas are usually very small (less than 1mm) and have not yet spread to other areas of the body such as the lymph nodes or other organs. Melanoma typically stands out as looking different from the rest of the lesions on your skin and often shows one of the ABCD signs: Asymmetry, irregular Border, multiple Colours, or Diameter larger than 6mm. Non-melanoma skin cancers such as squamous or basal cell carcinomas can appear as a scaly red patch on sun-exposed areas of the skin, an open sore that won't heal, a rough or thick patch of irritated skin, a raised growth, or even a blister. They can become crusty and easily bleed. Early skin cancers may show no symptoms at all, which is why regular professional skin checks are so important.

Doctors with advanced training in skin cancer medicine perform comprehensive skin checks in dedicated facilities that are fully equipped to diagnose, biopsy and treat all skin cancers using the latest tools and technologies for earliest diagnosis. They have advanced qualifications and dedicate their practise full-time to skin cancer management. These doctors often have shorter wait times than specialist dermatologists and deal only with skin cancer, whereas dermatologists need to be abreast of all skin related issues.

No, blood tests are not used to screen for skin cancer. The only definitive way to identify a skin malignancy is to have it assessed by a doctor with training in skin cancer medicine, who will examine the lesion with a dermatoscope and perform a biopsy, which is sent to a pathology lab to confirm the diagnosis. Skin cancer cannot be diagnosed with the naked eye.