Living on the Gold Coast comes with a lot of sunshine, and that is one of the reasons people love it here. It also comes with a serious catch. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, and Queensland sits at the higher end even by national standards. Approximately two in three Australians will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer by the age of 70, and the majority of cases are linked to sun exposure that builds up over many years.
The encouraging part is that skin cancer is highly treatable when it is found early. A spot that is caught and removed promptly is a very different situation to one that has been left to grow. That is the whole reason regular skin checks matter, and why our skin clinic at Doctors @ Coomera Central focuses on early detection for patients across Upper Coomera and the northern Gold Coast.
It is easy to assume skin cancer only affects people who spend hours sunbaking. In reality, much of the damage comes from everyday exposure. Walking the kids to school, mowing the lawn, fishing, working outdoors or driving with your arm near the window all add up over a lifetime. Queensland’s climate means locals accumulate more of that incidental sun than people in cooler parts of the country.
Risk climbs further if you have fair skin, light eyes, a history of sunburn, lots of moles, or a family history of melanoma. Older adults who have spent decades in the Australian sun carry the highest accumulated risk of all. None of this means you have done anything wrong. It simply means a regular check is a sensible habit, much like a dental visit.
You know your own skin better than anyone, so it pays to keep an eye on it. Book a check sooner rather than later if you notice:
A useful way to remember the warning signs is to compare your spots over time and watch for anything that stands out as the “odd one out”. If something is bothering you, it is always better to have it looked at and be reassured than to wait and wonder.
A full skin check is straightforward and unhurried. Our GPs take a careful, methodical approach so nothing is missed. A typical assessment may include:
If a biopsy is taken, the results are explained clearly and any next steps are discussed with you directly. Where clinically appropriate, bulk billing may be available, so cost is less likely to be a barrier to getting checked.
One of the advantages of having your skin checks done at a clinic that also treats skin cancer is continuity. If a lesion needs removing, our procedural GP performs a range of treatments on site, including cryotherapy, curettage and cautery, simple excision, and flap or graft surgery where required, along with minor surgery for lumps, cysts and similar growths.
Care does not stop once a spot is treated. We offer follow-up consultations and ongoing monitoring, and we send reminders for annual skin checks so a routine review does not slip off your radar. For anyone at higher risk, that yearly rhythm is one of the most reliable ways to stay protected. You can find a clear, trustworthy background on prevention and early detection through Cancer Council Australia.
You do not need a referral to have your skin checked, and you do not need to wait for something to look alarming. A routine check gives you peace of mind and the best possible chance of catching anything early.
Doctors @ Coomera Central is at Shop 2/21 Coomera Grand Drive, Upper Coomera, next to ALDI, open seven days a week from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Book your skin check online or call (07) 5638 5315. Your skin has worked hard in the Queensland sun, so give it the attention it deserves.