Natural Daylight Photodynamic Therapy

No two skin cancers look alike. Diagnosis is required followed by a careful examination by a professional of the entire skin surface.  We recommend that if you have a concerning spot on your body, you should book in for a consultation with a skin cancer doctor.

Treatments for skin cancer depend on the type and stage of the cancer. However, treatments will include either through surgery, freezing, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy or chemotherapy.

Skin cancer is diagnosed by a physical examination and a biopsy. The biopsy is a quick and simple procedure where part of the spot is removed and sent to a laboratory for testing. The biopsy can be taken by a doctor, surgeon or dermatologist. Results will take about a week to come back from the biopsy.

To avoid overexposure to UV light, you should protect your skin by:

• Seeking shade
• Sun protective clothing
• Broad brimmed hat
• SPF 50 sunscreen every 2 hours
• Sunglasses

For people whose skin burns really easily, you should cover up sensitive areas, wear sunblock and limit your sun exposure.

Sun exposure is safer between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

A health history is a record of your general health. You may be asked about your health history over the phone or at your appointment. You may get a health history form to fill out before or during your visit. If you do not understand the questions, the office staff can help you.

Include information about the following:

• Illnesses and injuries
• Hospitalisations
• Surgical procedures
• Vaccinations (shots)
• Medications (ones you take now as well as ones you have taken in the past)
• Allergies
• Bad reactions to medications and foods
• Exercise habits, diet, and substance use (including alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use)
• Illegal drug use
• Factors or events that have a major effect on your life, such as stress at work, getting married, or moving
• Family history of disease (including aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, and children)

Sunlight gives us vitamin D, which is important for healthy bones. However ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun can cause damage and skin cancer.

Our outer layers of skin contain melanin, which work to protect skin from UV rays. Melanin can only do so much to protect your skin. Overexposure causes damage to your skin cells and causes sunburn. UV rays penetrate the outer layers and pass into the deeper layers of skin, this is where the cell damage happens. Over time, your skin loses elasticity and ages quicker due to sun exposure.

Your skin tans because the exposure to sunlight causes the skin to produce extra melanin to increase protection. Tanning only begins occurring once dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays have pierced through your skin causing damage. This extra melanin darkens your skin. However, the tan fades as these cells move towards the surface and die.