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A Molecheck skin cancer examination does not normally include an examination of the breast, buttock, genital or non-bald scalp areas. Patients should check these areas before undergoing the Molecheck examination and ask the Molecheck doctor to check any moles located in these areas. A scalp check is best carried out with an assistant and by making multiple parts in wet hair.

To make it easier for our team please avoid wearing make-up, moisturiser and nail-polish to your Molecheck examination.

If you would like to change or cancel your appointment please phone the clinic at least one working day prior to the booking.

Cancellations made after this time may incur a fee. Not turning up to your appointment will be charged at our normal appointment rate.

Not turning up to your appointment will be charged at our normal appointment rate.

To detect skin cancer as early as possible! The sooner skin cancers are detected the simpler the treatment and the more successful it is likely to be. When you come to Molecheck you are seen by a highly-skilled skin cancer doctor trained to accurately diagnose and manage skin cancers, even when they're not visible to the naked eye or as part of a standard scan. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide on the spot diagnosis to patients, which means early detection and no anxious wait for results.

Patients who have tested positive or have respiratory symptoms are encouraged to self-isolate for 5 days and not attend their appointment until they are symptom-free.

Insurance cover is provided by many insurers (including Southern Cross Insurance) for skin checks of any lesions of concern as well as for skin procedures (cryotherapy or lesion removal) performed by our Molecheck doctors. Entitlement and the amount covered will be in accordance with your policy.

New Zealand has the highest melanoma incidence rate in the world, with two in three New Zealanders developing a skin cancer over their lifetime. The most likely to get skin cancer are typically fair skinned people who spend a lot of time outdoors (for instance for work or sport), have a family history of skin cancer or have had any episodes of bad sunburn as a child.

At least every 3 months you should examine your own skin to look for the early signs of skin cancer. If you notice a spot is new, looks different, is changing, sore, bleeding or itchy, come and see us at Molecheck.

The Scan Your Skin website has created this handy tool to help you understand your risk of developing skin cancer.

We have both female and male Molecheck doctors available. A Molecheck skin cancer examination does not normally include an examination of the scalp, breast, buttock or genital areas. Patients should check these areas before undergoing the Molecheck examination and advise the Molecheck doctor to check any moles in these areas. A chaperone is available for the Molecheck examination, upon request.

The term ‘mole-map’ is used in many different ways. Some doctors use the term ‘mole map’ to mean a dermoscopic check of moles to detect skin cancer, as undertaken at Molecheck. A mole-map means to others, a permanent dermoscopic scan of a mole. And to others, a mole map means a permanent record of all moles on the body.Simply relying on scanning technology to detect moles can compress these tiny blood vessels under the skin surface, making them invisible and therefore reducing the accuracy of diagnosis.

All Molecheck examinations are conducted initially using a hand-held, surface microscope (dermoscope). However occasionally these assessments will also require a dermoscopic scan (commonly known as a mole-map) to be taken of individual moles. These permanent images are used when subsequent comparison is needed and to ensure that you are not subjected to unnecessary surgery. An initial examination using a dermoscope removes the need to generate a mole-map of the entire body and increases the likelihood of early detection.

There is no pain involved with the Molecheck examination itself. However, cryotherapy (used to treat pre-cancerous or benign unwanted lesions) can cause a very slight sting that does not bother most patients.

Female patients should wear separate top and bottom clothing. Patients should avoid wearing make-up, moisturiser and nail-polish.

Areas which have the potential to become skin cancers later (pre-cancerous keratoses), can be treated with cryotherapy during the examination. Age-spots and sun-spots may be treated during the examination if requested and appropriate. If surgical excision is required, this is carried out at a subsequent appointment. A referrals is made to a plastic surgeon when appropriate.

The Molecheck examination is totally safe during pregnancy.

The Molecheck doctor will advise you about this at the conclusion of your examination. Although the Molecheck examination is extremely thorough, a small number of lesions may become apparent in the time between examinations. It is therefore still very important to self- examine for changes in size, shape or colour of existing moles, or for any new mole or lesion. Any of these changes should be reported.

With your permission, a report will be sent to your general practitioner.