Dr David Campbell
MB BS FRACS
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
149 Wickham Terrace Brisbane
(07) 3839 7800
Moles, Sun Spots, Skin Cancer
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Dr David Campbell MB BS FRACS Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon 149 Wickham Terrace Brisbane (07) 3839 7800 Moles, Sun Spots, Skin Cancer |
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Plastic surgery involves all aspects of skin surgery, from complex cosmetic or reconstructive procedures right through to the diagnosis of, and if necessary removal of moles and other skin spots. This may be anything from a simple excision, through to complex skin cancer surgery and reconstruction Queensland is often described as the skin cancer capital of the world, with probably the highest incidence of skin cancer anywhere in the world. It is therefore essential that Queenslanders not only know how to minimise their risks of skin cancer, but understand when to have a spot checked for cancer potential. Risk factors for skin cancer. Skin cancer is thought to have many factors which contribute to it. Probably the two most significant factors are your skin type, and ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. The skin features which seem to put you at greatest risk are a fair complexion, a tendency to sun-burn easily, and a large number of moles. Someone with lots of moles is probably going to have great difficulty keeping track of them to know if any have changed, so it may be useful in this situation to take close-up photographs of each area periodically to help you to detect any changes. What should I look for? There are many types of skin cancer, and not all of them are easy to diagnose. Some are dark brown or black in colour, but others may be red, pale or even the same colour as the surrounding skin. The most important features to be wary of are increasing size, increasing thickness, irregularity or changing shape or colour, and bleeding or ulceration. Even spots which have been there for years may become cancerous. If you have any doubt, please consult your doctor as soon as possible, because most skin cancer is readily curable if treated correctly at an early stage. If your doctor is unsure what is required, or unable to treat your lesion, or you wish to have a specialist opinion, don't hesitate to seek referral to a plastic surgeon.
Same Day Surgery Do you like the idea of having your surgery done on the same day as you first consult your Plastic Surgeon? In a busy schedule this can reduce the number of times you need to leave your work to have treatment. Dr Campbell has a dedicated plastic surgery operating facility adjoining his consulting rooms in the city. This has been set up specifically for small procedures under local anaesthetic. It is well equipped with dedicated plastic surgery instrumentation, electronic diathermy facilities to minimise bleeding, and on-site pressurised steam sterilization equipment to ensure a high standard of surgical hygiene. Kathy is a registered nurse with experience in plastic surgery and wound care, who assists Dr Campbell and other Plastic Surgeons who use this operating facility. For simple procedures it is often possible to plan to have your surgery on the same visit as your initial consultation. If you wish to be considered for this, please discuss your suitability with the nurse at the time you make an appointment. It is not possible to be certain if surgery can be done on your first visit, until your consultation with Dr Campbell. It is important to remember that even if you feel you may be suitable for a same day procedure, other options will be considered, and recommended to you where necessary. . Skin Surface Microscope. The skin surface microscope has now become an important and powerful tool in diagnosis, especially for pigmented skin spots. This instrument may take the form of a simple hand held device, or a large computerised machine. The way the skin is imaged is fundamentally similar with all forms of this equipment. The single most important factor in the use of these devices is the clinical experience and judgment of the person using it. For more than 18 years, Dr Campbell has been using the skin surface microscope to complement the clinical examination of skin spots, fascilitating the early diagnosis of skin cancers, and unstable lesions.
More Information on Skin Cancer The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons - Skin cancer Information
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Main Office: Suite 82, Level 8, Morris Towers, 149 Wickham Terrace, Brisbane Qld 4000 Phone: (07) 3839 7800 Fax: (07) 3839 4334 Also Consulting at:
Emerald Medical Group - Superclinic. Pilot Farm Road, Emerald, Qld 4720 Ph: (07) 3839 7800 Stellar Medical Springfield Lakes,18 Springfield Lakes Blvd, Springfield Lakes, Qld. 4300 Ph: (07) 3839 7800 Copyright© 2020 David
Campbell |