Pittwater Life July 2024 Issue

Health & Wellbeing
with Dr John Kippen
Health & Wellbeing
What to know about removal
of skin lesions and moles
Diagnosing “bad” moles,
or those that may be
suspicious for skin cancer,
typically involves a thorough
examination. Here are some
features that might indicate a
mole needs further evaluation:
Asymmetry: Healthy moles are
usually symmetrical. Asymmetrical
moles may be a cause
for concern.
Irregular Borders: Borders
of normal moles are typically
smooth and well-defined. Moles
with irregular, scalloped, or
poorly defined borders may be
concerning.
Colour Variation: Normal moles
are usually one colour, such as
brown, tan, or black. Moles that
have multiple colours or that
have changed in colour over
time may need evaluation.
Diameter: While size alone isn’t
always indicative of a problem,
moles larger than about 6mm
may warrant closer examination.
Elevation or raised moles.
Evolution change or rate of
change: Any changes in the
size, shape, colour, or elevation
of a mole, or any new symptoms
such as bleeding, itching,
or pain, should be evaluated by
a dermatologist.
Family History: Individuals
with a family history of melanoma
or other skin cancers may
have a higher risk of developing
abnormal moles.
As part of an examination a
biopsy may be needed.
During a biopsy, a small
sample of tissue is removed
from the mole and examined
under a microscope to determine
if it’s cancerous or not.
Early detection and treatment
of abnormal moles are crucial
for preventing skin cancer.
Regular self-examination and
professional skin checks are
recommended for anyone
concerned about their moles
or skin health. Do not rely on
someone else to find all your
skin spots – you know your
skin better than anyone else.
Any changes, any bleeding,
any flakes that reform should
be pointed out at the time of
your assessment.
The extent of scarring after
mole removal surgery can
vary based on several factors,
including:
Size and Depth: Larger or
deeper moles may require more
extensive surgery, potentially
resulting in larger scars.
Join Palmy ‘Bloody Long Walk’
The Bloody Long Walk is a 35km challenge
from Palm Beach to Manly raising vital
funds to help find cures for mitochondrial
disease (mito).
Registrations are open for this year’s
event on August 4 with participants 16 years
and over encouraged to do it “their way” by
walking, jogging or running the course, participating
as an individual or part of a team.
Mito is a debilitating and potentially fatal
genetic disorder that impairs the body’s
ability to convert food into the energy needed
to power muscles and major organs; 1 in
200 people are at risk of developing mito.
One Australian child born each week
suffers a severe or life-threatening form of
mito.
*More info bloodylongwalk.com.au
Location: Moles in areas with
thicker skin, like the back, may
produce different scars than
moles in areas with thinner
skin, like the face.
Surgical Technique: Different
surgical techniques, such as
excision, shave excision, or
laser removal, can result in different
types and sizes of scars.
Some techniques may be more
minimally invasive and produce
smaller scars.
Individual Healing Response:
Each person’s body heals differently,
and some individuals
may be more prone to forming
raised, thick, or discoloured
scars (keloids or hypertrophic
scars) than others.
Postoperative Care: Proper
wound care following surgery,
including keeping the area
clean, avoiding sun exposure,
and following any specific
instructions from your doctor,
can help minimise scarring.
While some scarring is
inevitable with any surgical
procedure, surgeons are
trained to minimise scarring
as much as possible. They may
use techniques like meticulous
wound closure, suturing
techniques, and postoperative
care instructions to optimise
healing and minimise scarring.
In many cases, the scar will
fade over time and become less
noticeable.
It’s essential to discuss any
concerns about scarring with
your surgeon before undergoing
mole removal surgery.
They can provide information
specific to your situation and
discuss potential scar management
options if needed.
Our columnist
Dr John Kippen is a qualified,
fully certified consultant
specialist in Plastic and
Reconstructive surgery.
Australian trained, he
also has additional
Australian and International
Fellowships. He welcomes
enquiries; email
doctor@johnkippen.com.au
50 JULY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991