SkinSafe

Three doctors from Silverdale Medical have branched out to focus on skin cancer services, opening a purpose-built clinic, called SkinSafe, in Florence Ave, Ōrewa.

Dr Dave Hassan, Dr Martin Denby and Dr Warren Groarke are the principal partners in SkinSafe.

All three are GPs who have expert training in skin cancer and are members of the NZ Skin Cancer Doctors. Visiting specialists and surgeons will also provide services.

Dr Hassan says skin cancer diagnosis and treatment can be a big part of GP work.

“We were all doing it every day for years at Silverdale and Weiti Creek, so we decided to join forces and provide a convenient, one-stop clinic,” he says.

The new clinic, which has three operating theatres, covers all the bases – from detailed, head-to-toe skin checks with equipment that can see through layers of skin, to surgical removal of skin cancers, lesions and moles. There is space to hold educational events too.

This area has a very high rate of skin cancer and Dr Hassan says annual checks are becoming the norm, especially for those over 40 years of age or at higher risk because of a lot of sun exposure, fair skin type, or family history.

Regular imaging of your skin helps because 75 percent of melanomas come from new, not existing, moles.

Early detection is critical, before cancer can reach “the main highway” of your body and potentially spread.

Finding melanomas is therefore a key part of what the doctors do.

“We are melanoma hunters, and it’s very satisfying when you pick one up,” Dr Hassan says.