Providing you with quality skin cancer diagnosis & treatment

You do not need a referral to see Dr Asif. However, if your GP has given you a referral letter, please bring it along with you as it will contain important information about your medical conditions.

If you do not have a referral letter, obtaining a medical summary containing a list of your medical conditions, medications and allergies from your doctor is an excellent idea. It is more relevant if you have multiple medical conditions or have a complex medical history. It also helps Dr Asif to communicate with your GP where required.

If you are having a full body skin check, you will be required to undress to your underwear and Dr Asif will examine your skin with a medical device called a dermatoscope.

If you only require an opinion on one or two spots, you may not have to undress. Breasts and genital areas are not routinely examined but if you have any concerns in those areas, please advise Dr Asif before your examination.

If you have several spots over various areas it is advisable to have a full skin check. Please avoid pointing out various moles while you are being examined, as it distracts from conducting a thorough examination.

Usually a full-body skin checks take about 15-20 minutes, but could easily take 30 minutes or more depending on the type of skin and number of moles. Sometimes, digital photos may have to be taken and this can take additional time.

Please advise our reception staff that you need a full body skin check so you can be given a suitable appointment slot. Please ensure you present to the clinic at least 10 minutes befor your appointment to complete any necessary administrative tasks before your appointment.

You may have questions and several concerns you want addressed. Sometimes it is not possible to address these in a single consultation due to time constraints. A follow-up or subsequent appointment may be required if you have multiple concerns.

Performing surgery requires some planning and understanding. Immediate surgery will not be performed except in certain emergencies. You will not have any surgery done on the day of your initial consultation. Dr Asif will explain the nature of the surgery and possible complications that could arise, before obtaining your informed consent before conducting any surgical procedures.

Your skin check might be all fine and in that case, you will be offered another skin check after a year or sometimes after 6 months depending on the assessment.  Should any skin cancers be detected, you will be required to have a biopsy performed to get a pathology (tissue) diagnosis.  Further treatment will be offered depending on the result of the biopsy which is typically available after a week or so.

A biopsy is a surgical procedure in which a small sample is taken from a mole/skin lesion to clearly understand its nature. It is a very important aspect in the diagnosis of any cancers including skin cancers. Common forms of skin biopsy include shave biopsy and punch biopsy. Other forms of biopsies for skin are called incisional biopsy and excisional biopsy.  The results from a biopsy will help in making further decisions about treatment options. Sometimes the biopsy result will be benign (a harmless condition) and as such no further treatment will be required for the skin lesion.

Typically you will hear from the practice about a week later by text message (SMS) about your result. If you require further surgery or other treatments, the clinic nurse will call you about a week or so after your biopsy to schedule an appointment for your surgical procedure. Usually, these appointments are 30 minutes to an hour depending on the nature of the procedure.

This depends on a range of factors and your risk of skin cancer. Typically for most people, it is once a year if you are over the age of 50 years. However, some patients may need more frequent skin checks such as every six months or so. More frequent skin checks may be required if your skin has been subject to lots of sun damage or you have a history of melanoma or other skin cancers.

There are a lot of misconceptions about what is commonly referred to as 'mole mapping'. Technological innovation in digital photography has led to the development of serial monitoring of moles/skin lesions using sophisticated software platforms. Whole-body photography using such programs can aid in the early diagnosis of subtle changes in moles and the early detection of skin cancers, mainly melanomas.

Some of the well-known programs are called Mole Map, Foto Finder ATBM, Vectra WB360, Heine Cube and DermEngine. Keep in mind that a digital analysis of your moles is not a substitute for a thorough examination by the doctor, as photos cannot by themselves diagnose skin cancers.

At present, Dr Asif does not offer full-body photography. However, he does use DermEngine for taking digital images of moles which require monitoring or for diagnostic assistance.

For private patients:
- Standard consultation: $112.85 (Medicare rebate $42.8), your out-of-pocket cost: $70
- Long consultation: $152.90 (Medicare rebate $82.90), your out-of-pocket cost: $70

For pensioners and health care cardholders:
- Standard consultation: $92.85 (Medicare rebate $42.85), your out-of-pocket cost: $50
- Long consultation: $132.90 (Medicare rebate $82.90), your out-of-pocket cost: $50

The above-quoted figures are valid for 2025. Medicare rebate amounts are updated yearly on 1 November.

This depends on the nature of your procedure. A range of consumables are used during the surgery which adds to the cost. Dr Asif will advise you prior to any surgery about the out-of-pocket cost that you might incur. Medicare rebates are complex, as they depend on the type of cancer, its location in your body and its size.

To make matters easy for patients, Dr Asif works on an out-of-pocket estimate before surgery, considering your pension or health care card status. For any surgical or similar procedures:
- The minimum out-of-pocket cost is $100
- The maximum out-of-pocket cost is $300
‍
‍These amounts are charged to cover the ever-increasing cost of sterilisation of surgical instruments, anaesthetic agents and buffers, drapes, suture materials, dressings etc. used during the procedure. The cost depends on the nature and complexity of the procedure and the time spent performing the surgery. Some skin closures are simple while others may require more complex skin closure such as a flap or skin graft (full thickness or split skin graft). Medicare rebates have not kept up with the times and now barely compensate the doctor for the time spent on the procedure. 

Cancer Council provides detailed information in easy to understand language for many types of cancers including skin cancers. For more information, please visit: https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/skin-cancer

Our skin changes over time and new skin lesions may arise. Not all new moles are skin cancers but some can be and it requires knowledge and experience to recognise the benign from the cancerous.  Dr Asif is not a dermatologist, plastic surgeon or aesthetic medicine practitioner. His focus is on skin cancers only. If you are seeking opinion on skin rashes or seeking to have lumps etc. removed please consult your GP and he/she will be able to direct you to the appropriate health professional.

There are six skin types, commonly referred to as Fitzpatrick skin types. Type I and II are at the greatest risk of developing skin cancers (Type I is very fair skin which always burns and cannot tan, while Type II is fair skin that usually burns and sometimes tans).

You are at a higher risk if you have any of the following characteristics: 
- Red hair
- Type 1 skin and aged more than 45 years
- Type 2 skin and aged more than 65 years
- Family history of melanoma in a first-degree relative in patients aged more than 15 years
- More than 100 naevi (moles) (or more than 10 atypical naevi)
- Past history of melanoma
- Past history of non-melanoma skin cancer or greater than 20 solar keratosis

If you fall within any of the above categories, you should have once a year skin check and 3 monthly self-check of your skin.

Surgery can lead to permanent injury, complications or scars. You should consider this carefully before you agree to undergo any surgical procedures. If you have questions or concerns, please have these addressed before you consent to any procedure. Misunderstanding sometimes leads to dissatisfaction after the procedure. Some possible complications can not always be predicted.

Please click here to view a sample consent form that you will be given to sign on the day of your surgery. Please read this document carefully beforehand as there is limited time allocated for your surgical procedure.

Please note that Dr Asif is a GP with training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers. He is NOT a plastic surgeon or dermatologist. He regularly undertakes further education and upskilling in this area of medicine.

Dr Asif will tell you and give you written instructions about how to care for your biopsy site or how to look after your surgical wound. You will also receive information about dressing changes, stitch removal etc. that might be required. Any follow-up appointments will be made for you on the day of your surgery. You will be able to contact the clinic if any unforeseen complications arise after surgery such as bleeding or infection etc.
How to improve the appearance of the scar after surgery
‍Shearing forces and excessive movement of the operated area within the first few weeks of surgery should be avoided as in the initial weeks after surgery the scar is weak and easily disrupted. In the subsequent remodelling stage lasting several months, the scar gains most of its strength as collagen fibres realign and mature. After a few months, the scar reaches around 80% of its final strength. Even when fully healed, a scar will never be as strong as the original skin.
i) Sun protection: direct sunlight can darken scars and make them more noticeable. Please aim to cover the scar with a physical barrier like clothing or zinc.
ii) Massage: The body lays down collagen randomly to form scars. Massaging the scar makes the collagen fibres align more parallel. This leads to a flatter scar. Massage the scar from the two-week mark. Five minutes a day with something slippery on the finger, like Vaseline or Bio-oil usually does the job. Start with gentle pressure at first and increase it over time. When massaging, you can’t press too hard. If you press softly, you might as well not be doing anything.
iii) Silicone: Silicone has been shown to improve the appearance of scars.  For scars below the neck, use a silicone sheet like Cica-care. For facial scars, use a silicone gel like Strataderm or Dermatix. Silicone needs to be on the scar for at least twelve hours a day to have any benefit. Scars show improvement up to the two-year mark. Most of the improvement occurs during the first year. Be diligent with the use of silicone for at least three months.
iv) Micropore tape can be used to potentially improve the appearance of the scar by applying gentle pressure to the healing wound, which can help flatten raised scars and minimise the formation of hypertrophic scars. Apply the tape directly on the scar after the sutures are removed and wear it for several weeks to achieve the best results. At least six weeks is recommended. Micropore tape provides a light, constant pressure on the scar, which can help flatten it and prevent excessive collagen production that leads to raised scars. It is best to start using micropore tape soon after sutures are removed when the wound is still healing. For optimal results, wear the tape for at least six weeks, replacing it as needed. Most people can shower with the tape on, but it's important to dry the area thoroughly before reapplying.