Typically, all the moles and freckles we will develop in our lifetime appear during our childhood. It is possible to develop new benign moles after the age of 30, but you should get everything new checked out by a doctor as a safety precaution, because new moles after 30 have a higher chance of being malignant (cancerous).

Conveniently located on the Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach, the Gold Coast Skin Centre is 20 minutes from the NSW border. Parking is available at the rear of the centre and limited street parking can be found in the surrounding streets. If you are arriving by car, entry via Fourteenth Avenue is best. There is a bus stop at the front entry to the centre.

The most common type of skin cancer in Australia is basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The second most common skin cancer type is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The third most common is melanoma. There are other types of skin cancer such as merkel cell carcinoma, but these are rare.

Skin cancer can be successfully treated and cured if detected early enough. Most early skin cancers can be removed with minimal harm to the patient. More advanced skin cancers can be difficult to remove and may cause disfigurement and scarring. Deadly skin cancers like squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma can spread to other organs and require much more significant treatment such as radiation therapy and major surgery to prevent death.This is a rare occurrence if the malignancy is diagnosed and treated early - which is why skin cancer checks are so important!

Basal cell carcinoma is a malignancy of the basal cells in the skin, usually caused by damage from UV exposure. A BCC can sometimes look like an open sore that won't heal, a red patch of skin, a pink growth, a shiny bump or nodule that sticks out from the skin, or even a blister. Basal cell carcinomas can ooze or bleed, and can become itchy or crusty.