I’ve spent most of my career working as one of the Brisbane Skin Doctors residents rely on for early detection, long-term monitoring, and, quite often, reassurance. Skin cancer medicine feels uniquely personal here. The sun shapes daily life, but it also shapes our risk, and I’ve seen too many people learn that lesson the hard way.
How Experience Changes the Way You See Skin
When I first began specialising in skin cancer detection, I remember how overwhelming the variety of lesions felt. Over the years, though, certain patterns become second nature. One of my earliest patients—a man who worked outdoors most of his life—came in only because his daughter insisted. He had a spot behind his ear he couldn’t see himself. We caught it early, and he told me later that he’d always assumed skin cancer would be “big and obvious.” That moment stuck with me because so many people share that misconception.
Another example was a young mother who came in after noticing a barely-there change in a freckle. She apologised for “overreacting.” It turned out to be a melanoma in its early stage. I still think about the relief on her face when she realised her cautiousness had protected her future. Experiences like that reinforce why I’m always urging patients to come in sooner rather than later.
Why Brisbane’s Conditions Make Regular Checks Essential
Working in Brisbane has taught me that our environment can be as much a contributing factor as genetics or age. The UV exposure here is unforgiving, even for people who don’t consider themselves sun-seekers. I’ve seen patients who rarely go outdoors except for school drop-offs or a weekly grocery run, yet still present with suspicious lesions.
And it’s not just older adults. Teenagers, young professionals, retirees—sun damage doesn’t discriminate. That’s why I’ve built a habit of asking about childhood sunburns more than current habits; those early burns often show up decades later.
The Patterns I See Again and Again
One of the most consistent mistakes people make is assuming a spot needs to hurt or bleed before it’s “real.” In my experience, the lesions that worry me most are usually painless and deceptive.
I also see plenty of patients who compare new spots to old ones they’ve had for years. They’ll say, “I’ve always had moles; this is just another one.” But the changes are what matter, not the history. A patient last spring brought in a mole she’d ignored because it was similar to others on her arm. The irregular border was subtle at first glance, but experience teaches your eyes to linger on the small cues. We removed it, and pathology confirmed it was in the early stages of becoming something far more aggressive.
How I Approach Skin Checks Today
After thousands of examinations, I’ve developed a rhythm that blends medical precision with conversation. Patients often reveal crucial details casually—mentioning, for example, a spot that “just feels different” or something a spouse noticed in passing.
I always tell patients that their instincts matter. Many times, they’re the first ones to sense that something is off. Medical training helps me interpret the visual details, but the patient’s intuition is often the first spark.
I’ve also grown more direct over the years. If something worries me, I say so plainly. I remember a time early in my career when I hesitated, wanting to avoid alarming someone. Now I understand that clarity is kindness; people appreciate honesty when it’s paired with a clear plan.
Why I Recommend Professional Skin Checks Over Self-Monitoring Alone
Self-checks are useful, but they’re not foolproof. I’ve seen countless melanomas hiding in places people rarely look: behind knees, on the scalp, around the ears, between the toes. I once treated a patient whose melanoma was nestled in a spot where a pair of sunglasses sat—an area they inspected daily without ever really seeing.
Professional skin checks offer something self-monitoring simply can’t: training, tools, and thousands of hours of comparison. Dermoscopy, for example, reveals structures invisible to the naked eye. It allows me to detect patterns that hint at trouble long before a lesion looks concerning externally.
The Part Patients Appreciate Most
Over time, I’ve realised that what patients value isn’t just the exam—it’s the education. They want to understand why a lesion matters, what to look out for, and how the sun damage they accumulated years ago plays into today’s risks.
Some patients keep a running list of questions on their phone; others bring a partner to help them remember what we talked about. I always take the time to explain because informed patients are empowered patients.
A Final Thought from Years in the Field
Working with skin cancer every day has made me deeply aware of how preventable many advanced cases are. Early detection truly changes outcomes. And in Brisbane, early detection starts with awareness and regular professional checks.
I’ve met countless people whose lives were changed simply because they didn’t wait. Those are the stories that push me to keep advocating for vigilance, education, and routine skin examinations—not out of fear, but out of respect for how much difference timely attention can make.