You may see one or more of the doctors mentioned below.
General practitioner (GP)
Many GPs diagnose and treat people with BCC and SCC skin cancers. They may perform surgery, cryotherapy or prescribe topical treatments. Some GPs have extra training related to skin cancer. Before choosing a GP, you can ask what experience or qualifications they have with skin cancer. You may see a GP at a general practice, medical centre or skin cancer clinic.
Skin cancer clinics are run by GPs with an interest in skin cancer. A GP may refer you to a dermatologist, surgeon or radiation or medical oncologist for larger areas or cancers that are hard to remove. If there’s a waiting list and spot of concern, your GP can ask for an earlier appointment.
Dermatologist
A doctor who diagnoses, treats and manages skin conditions and skin cancer. They perform surgery, cryotherapy and prescribe topical treatments.
To find a dermatologist near you that specialises in non-melanoma skin cancer, visit Australasian College of Dermatologists.
Radiation oncologist
A radiation oncologist prescribes and oversees a course of radiation therapy, which may be used to treat some skin cancers. A medical oncologist prescribes cancer drug therapies, which may be used for a small number of (usually) advanced skin cancers.
Surgeon
Some skin cancers are treated by surgeons:
- Surgical oncologists specialise in treating cancer with surgery; they manage complex skin cancers, including those that have spread to the lymph nodes.
- Reconstructive (plastic) surgeons are trained in surgical oncology and in complex reconstructive techniques for more difficult to treat areas (e.g. the nose, lips, eyelids and ears).
→ READ MORE: Skin cancer treatment
Video: Understanding cancer tests, treatment and support
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All updated content has been clinically reviewed by Prof Victoria Mar, Director, Victorian Melanoma Service, Alfred Hospital and Monash University, VIC and Prof Anne Cust, Acting Director, The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW, and faculty member, Melanoma Institute Australia. This edition is based on the previous edition, which was reviewed by the following panel: Prof Victoria Mar (see above); Tracey Bilson, Consumer; Raelene Buchan, Consumer; Alison Button-Sloan, Consumer; Dr Margaret Chua, Radiation Oncologist, and the Skin Radiation Oncology team, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Prof Anne Cust, (see above); A/Prof Paul Fishburn, Skin Cancer Doctor, Norwest Skin Cancer Centre, NSW and Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland; Danielle Goss, Melanoma Clinical Nurse Specialist, Amie St Clair Melanoma (part of Melanoma Institute Australia), Wagga Wagga, NSW; Louise Pellerade, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Dr Shireen Sidhu, Head of Dermatology, The Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA; Dr Amelia Smit, Research Fellow – Melanoma and Skin Cancer, The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW; Dr Tony Tonks, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Canberra Plastic Surgery, ACT. We also thank the health professionals, consumers and editorial teams who have worked on previous editions of this title. Thanks also to Sydney Melanoma Diagnostic Centre for providing the dysplastic naevus photograph on page 11, A/Prof Paul Fishburn for providing the sunspot photograph on page 10, A/Prof Andrew Miller for providing the age spot photograph on page 10, and Prof H Peter Soyer for providing the other photographs on pages 9–11.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
