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Is a MoleMap right for me?
If you answer yes to any of the following questions then MoleMap is right for you: • Concerned about a mole or lesion (e.g. it’s changing size, shape, itching or bleeding) • Have a personal history of melanoma or other skin cancers • Have a family history of melanoma • Have many moles • Have funny looking moles (called atypical moles) • Are fair skinned and have light coloured eyes • Suffered from sunburn during childhood or adolescence • Frequent outdoor activities • Have a history of UVA sunbed/solarium use If you are still unsure then please phone 0800 MOLEMAP (665 3627) and one of our friendly customer support representatives will help you. What makes MoleMap unique? MoleMap is the world’s most advanced melanoma surveillance programme which combinee innovative technology with the skills of a panel of specialist dermatologists to diagnose melanoma at the earliest possible stage. The technology includes digital Total Body Photography, digital dermoscopy and digital serial monitoring – all these diagnostic tools have been clinically proven to help specialists detect melanoma at the earliest possible stage. Service provided to ALL patients:
MoleMap also utilises the skills of highly trained dermatologists to assess every MoleMap patient. Dermatologists in New Zealand have undergone a minimum of 13 years training, which includes general medical training followed by specialist training. The New Zealand Dermatological Society has mentioned that there is a growing trend for some general practitioners to call themselves ‘skin specialists’, but they emphasis that this is a very different sphere of experience when compared to a trained dermatologist. At MoleMap we take your concerns seriously so we're also very thorough. Not only are you seen for one hour during your first consultation but your moles are imaged and stored on file so that on future visits we can compare how your moles have changed/evolved over time. If there is one universal truth about melanoma it is change. The ability to track the majority of your moles over time enables our dermatologists to pick up subtle changes that may indicate melanoma - melanomas that would potentially be overlooked during a routine naked eye evaluation with no historical reference point. This helps provide assurance that we are doing everything possible to help manage your melanoma risk. Is the final assessment carried out by a NZ registered dermatologist? Yes. Whilst MoleMap is very lucky to draw on the skills of an international panel of expert dermatologists only NZ registered dermatologists assess NZ patients. What happens when I arrive? On arrival a MoleMap melanographer will greet you and her primary responsibility is to ensure that your MoleMap experience is a positive one. Digital images will be obtained of most of your moles and in particular any moles which you or your doctor are concerned about. This will entail removing any clothing covering your moles. Notes: Examination of moles on the scalp is difficult and requires the shaving of surrounding hair for a clear image. Please inform us if there are any moles on your scalp of concern. A MoleMap does not routinely include a genital examination, however if there is a lesion of concern in this area please inform us at the time of your examination. It is possible that you will be directed to undertake a clinical examination by a dermatologist. Who performs the MoleMap? Routine MoleMaps are performed by professionals with a nursing or radiography background. These professional have undertaken an extensive training programme in skin cancer. Your images are then sent via a secure network to one of an international panel of expert dermatologists for assessment. How long does it take? The full MoleMap procedure is very thorough and the initial consultation usually takes 60 minutes. Occasionally a second appointment is required where there are a large number of moles to image. Follow-up MoleMaps for patient with only a few lesions are usually faster and only require a half hour appointment. Is it safe? Does it hurt? The MoleMap procedure is non-invasive and does not hurt. The procedure is also safe for pregnant women. How will I learn of my results? A copy of the findings will be sent to your general practitioner or referring doctor. You will also receive a copy of this report within 10 working days outlining the results, making recommendations on when you should next be assessed and general advice about sun protection and early detection. What will happen if something suspicious shows up? Your general practitioner or referring doctor will decide on the appropriate course of action based on the dermatologist recommendations and organise the treatment as necessary. It is important that you contact your doctor immediately to organise an appointment if you require treatment. How often should I have a MoleMap? This depends on your level of risk assessed at your first MoleMap visit. The doctor reviewing your images will recommend in the report when you should have your next consultation. The majority of patients are recommended to have annual MoleMaps. It is important that in between MoleMap appointments that you continue to self monitor your skin on a monthly basis. What will happen to my MoleMap records if I move out of the area? The great news about having a MoleMap record is that it is stored on our central database and can be accessed from any other MoleMap clinic located around New Zealand if required. This means you can continue to be active in monitoring your moles by going to your nearest MoleMap clinic. Is it 100% accurate? By combining tools that are proven to help detect early melanoma (Total Body Photography, digital dermoscopy and digital sequential monitoring) with the skills of expert dermatologists MoleMap is doing everything possible to detect melanoma, however, no method of melanoma assessment can provide a 100% guarantee of the detection of melanoma. How much does it cost? The cost varies depending on what procedure you have. A list of procedures and their accompanying prices can be found in the left hand column of this web page. Does MoleMap do mole removals? No. MoleMap prides itself on the accurate diagnosis of skin cancer and therefore aims to minimise any unnecessary excisions of benign lesions. As such we do not currently offer an on site mole removal service but instead we redirect you back to your referring GP for further treatment. What happens at a follow-up appointment? The follow-up procedure is similar to the initial consultation although it generally does not require additional body shot images (Total Body Photography) – only clinical and dermoscopic images of your moles. The greatest benefit about the follow-up appointment is we can now overlay the latest images of your lesions with those captured during your previous visit and this is where MoleMap really kicks in. Having a history of your skin enables our dermatologist to identify and monitor the most subtle changes over time (changes that may not have been identified during a one off consultation) and this helps identify melanoma at an even earlier stage. The unique follow-up consultation provides you with the assurance that we are doing everything possible to identify this potentially deadly form of cancer. How do I book an appointment? Booking an appointment is easy. Either phone 0800 MOLEMAP (665 3627) and discuss your options with one of our friendly customer support staff or simply click here to book on line now. What should I wear to the appointment? Brief underwear is best for the MoleMap procedure. You will be provided with a gown for a more comfortable experience. How long does the final patient report take? Our policy is that all reports are received by the patient within 10 working days. The majority of reports are received well within this timeframe. All diagnoses requiring urgent attention are prioritised and returned to the patient ASAP. Who do I see when the report says I need to have something done? In most instances you would see your family GP (when you visit MoleMap you are asked to provide your GP contact details so that they can also receive a copy of your report). In some instances it may require specialist attention – in this situation it would pay to ask your doctor for advice. Are you open Saturdays or any late nights? MoleMap has clinics located nationwide and many of these are open late nights and during the weekends. Please call 0800MOLEMAP (665 3627) to find out the operating hours of your nearest clinic. Will my procedure be covered by health insurance? It is best to check your health insurance policy or call your health insurance provider to determine whether they will cover the cost of the procedure. |
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