Medicare Bulk Billing for All Eligible Patients Now Open 7 Days · Mon–Fri 9am–5:30pm | Weekends 9am–2pm T17 & 18, 10 Hummingbird Dr, Botanic Ridge VIC 3977 P: (03) 5902 8223 info@botanicridgedoctors.com.au Walk-Ins *Accommodated Where Possible Onsite Allied Health
01

Skin cancer checks — full body, onsite, bulk billed

Australia has one of the world's highest rates of skin cancer. Our GPs perform full body skin examinations using dermatoscopy, with biopsies available onsite when needed.

Service
Skin Cancer & Skin Checks
Practice
Bulk billed
For eligible Medicare patients
Doctor performing dermoscopy skin examination at Botanic Ridge Doctors
Bulk Billed For all eligible Medicare patients
Open 7 Days Weekends & public holidays
Allied Health Onsite Eleven practitioners under one roof
Multilingual Team Care in your language
Botanic Ridge Doctors
02 02 Meet your skin cancer doctor

Dr Dipankar Chakraborty — skin cancer medicine.

FRACGP · TRACGP

Dr Chakraborty is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners with advanced certifications in skin cancer medicine and complex skin cancer surgery. He provides comprehensive skin assessments, dermoscopy, biopsy and excisions — including flap and graft repair.

Dr Chakraborty is also the lead skin doctor at Aurora Skin Clinic in Wangaratta, travels widely across rural Victoria providing skin cancer treatment, and teaches registrars and students on skin cancer medicine and surgery.

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02 02 Why Get Checked

02 Why Get Checked

Two in three Australians will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. The good news: detected early, almost all skin cancers are highly treatable. The trick is regular professional checks — annually for most people, more often if you're high risk.

Melanoma

The deadliest skin cancer. Caught at early stage, 5-year survival is >95%. Caught late, <30%. Annual checks dramatically tilt the odds.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

The most common skin cancer. Rarely fatal but can disfigure if left. Easily excised when caught early.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Second most common. Faster-growing than BCC and can spread. Surgical excision is curative when caught early.

Solar Keratoses

Pre-cancerous sun-damaged spots. Treated with cryotherapy, creams or PDT to prevent progression.

04 04 Dermoscopy

04 Dermoscopy

A dermatoscope is a high-magnification, polarised-light device that lets your GP see microscopic structures in moles and skin lesions. It dramatically increases diagnostic accuracy — clinically suspicious melanomas can be confidently distinguished from benign lookalikes, and many unnecessary biopsies are avoided.

All our skin checks use dermoscopy as standard.

05 05 Biopsy & Excision

05 Biopsy & Excision

Our skin-trained GPs perform the full range of skin cancer procedures onsite — meaning no separate dermatologist referral, no hospital, no long waits.

Punch & Shave Biopsy

Small tissue sample sent for pathology. Local anaesthetic, takes 5 minutes, single stitch (or none).

Standard Excision

Full removal with safety margins. Local anaesthetic, single layer of stitches, removed at your follow-up appointment.

Flap & Graft Repair

For larger or facial excisions where direct closure isn't possible. Skin from a nearby area is rotated into the wound, or a graft is taken. Performed by Dr Chakraborty.

Cryotherapy

Liquid nitrogen for solar keratoses, warts and superficial pre-cancers. No anaesthetic needed.

Topical Treatments

Imiquimod, 5-fluorouracil cream for field treatment of sun-damaged areas.

Dermatologist Referral

For complex melanomas, large facial reconstructions or rare conditions, we coordinate fast referrals to specialist dermatology and plastic surgery.

06 06 Risk Assessment

06 Risk Assessment

If you tick any of these, we recommend skin checks every 6–12 months rather than annually:

07 07 Aftercare

07 Aftercare

Most excision sites heal beautifully with simple care. We provide written aftercare instructions including wound care, when to wash, when stitches come out, signs of infection, and when to call us.

A few clicks — and you're in the diary. Book online
05 What to expect

How your appointment typically flows.

Your appointment is performed onsite with GP review. A common procedure with a strong evidence base.

1.

Quick history (5 mins)

Family history, sun exposure, previous skin cancers, any specific lesions worrying you.

2.

Quick history (5 mins)

Family history, sun exposure, previous skin cancers, any specific lesions worrying you.

3.

Full-body examination (15–20 mins)

You'll undress to your underwear behind a curtain (a chaperone is available on request). Your GP examines every area systematically — scalp, face, ears, neck, chest, back, arms, legs, between toes, soles of feet, groin, and bottom.

4.

Dermoscopy on suspicious spots

Suspicious lesions are examined under high magnification with polarised light, allowing your GP to see structures invisible to the naked eye.

5.

Same-day biopsy or excision (if needed)

Small biopsies and excisions can usually be done the same appointment under local anaesthetic. Larger excisions or those requiring flap/graft repair may be booked into a longer surgical slot.

6.

Recall & follow-up plan

You'll leave with a written plan: next routine check date, any pathology pending, and what to watch for at home using ABCDE criteria.

08 Questions, answered

Common questions.

How often should I have a skin check?

Annually for most adults. Every 6 months if you've had a previous skin cancer, have many atypical moles, or have a strong family history of melanoma. Children rarely need checks unless concerning lesions appear.

What's the ABCDE rule?

A simple at-home checklist for melanoma: Asymmetry, Border irregular, Colour varied, Diameter >6mm, Evolution (changing). Any of these warrants a check. Also: any new spot, an "ugly duckling" that looks different from the rest, or any lesion that bleeds, itches or doesn't heal.

Are skin checks bulk billed?

Private fee may apply — please contact reception to confirm fees when booking.

Can I claim skin checks on private health insurance?

Some extras policies cover GP-led skin checks. Check with your fund. We provide itemised receipts.

Do you take photos of my skin?

Only borderline lesions, with your consent — photographs help us track change over time and avoid unnecessary biopsies. Photos are stored securely in your medical record.

Book your appointment today.

Bulk-billed consultations for eligible Medicare patients. Some procedures may attract a private fee — please contact reception to confirm costs at booking. Open 7 days, walk-ins accommodated where possible.

Book online via HotDoc Call (03) 5902 8223

Important: The information on this page is general health information only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice from a qualified health practitioner. Outcomes vary between individuals — your GP will assess your specific situation and recommend the right approach for you. If you have urgent symptoms, please call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department.

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