Personalised workplace skin checks + education
Fortunately, skin cancer is almost entirely preventable through a combination of protective measures and early detection. Here at Happy Health, our workplace skin checks provide personalised skin health education and aim to identify concerning spots and skin changes that need further investigation or treatment.
Our health screening vans and visiting health professionals can deliver workplace skin checks on-site, saving time and hassle. Alternatively, employees can come to one of our clinics.
Benefits of workplace skin checks
- Early detection of skin conditions
- Skin cancer prevention
- Boost employee awareness around skin protection
- Increase engagement and job satisfaction
- Reduce absenteeism and boost productivity
- Cut healthcare costs of treating conditions
- Meet your legislative requirements
Skin check packages
We offer two different skin care packages. Both are performed by doctors with additional training in skin cancer diagnosis.
Level 1 – 15-20 minutes
- The employee’s personal and family history is reviewed, including recreational and occupational sun exposure, previous skin cancer and other risk factors.
- Education is provided on skin cancer prevention, and, where required, a brief review of workplace controls and PPE is conducted.
- A non-contact dermatoscope (illuminated magnification) is used to conduct a full body inspection to the worker’s comfort level. This ideally includes the removal of outer garments in stages to allow examination. Skin covered by underwear isn’t examined unless the worker has specific concerns. This examination is useful for identifying sun-damaged skin and macroscopically abnormal lesions that require further investigation or treatment. It doesn’t provide a definitive diagnosis and cannot distinguish any one skin spot as benign or cancerous.
- A contact dermatoscope is used for a more detailed examination of suspicious lesions. This involves the application of a drop of hand sanitiser and the magnifier being pressed against the skin. The employee should be prepared to undress down to undergarments as each section of the body is examined. Skin covered by underwear is not routinely examined.
- Personalised education is provided on the follow-up process and common treatment options. General education, including an emphasis on self-checks and screening for changing and new lesions, is provided for each employee as this is vital for early detection.
- If any sun damage or concerning lesions are identified, the worker will be advised to seek follow-up with a skin cancer clinic for consideration of biopsy and treatment, either by a dermatologist (skin specialist) or a GP trained in skin cancer management. Discussion will include recommended timeframes for review and concerning lesions will be documented or identified on a diagram for the worker to take with them.
- Workers who wish to see a dermatologist or certain skin cancer clinics will require a referral from their regular GP to be eligible for a Medicare rebate.
Level 2 - 15-20 minutes + follow-up
A Level 2 workplace skin check includes the same as a Level 1 with the addition of the following:Â
- In consultation with the employee, a suitable follow-up option at a location accessible to the worker will be identified, and contact information will be provided for the worker to arrange a booking at their expense.
- For lesions identified as requiring time-critical management, the employee will be followed up until all concerns have been adequately investigated and managed.
- All other employees who have been recommended for formal skin checks will be contacted at appropriate intervals to facilitate the process.
Australia is the skin cancer capital of the world, with an estimated 434,000 people treated for one or more skin cancers.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some of the most common questions we get asked about our workplace skin checks.
How long does a skin check take?
A skin check usually takes 15-20 mins. A follow-up may be required.
Is a skin check painful or uncomfortable?
No. A skin check is completely safe and pain-free.
Can I bring someone with me to my skin check appointment?
Yes, you’re welcome to bring a chaperone but it must be approved by our team beforehand.
Can skin checks alone detect all cancers?
Examination alone, even when performed by a skin specialist with specialised equipment, cannot detect every skin cancer. Although many skin conditions can be identified from appearance or history, many more, including melanoma, require a biopsy or skin sample be be sent to a laboratory.
What happens if something suspicious is found?
If any sun damage or concerning lesions are found, the worker will be advised to visit a skin cancer clinic for further evaluation by a dermatologist (skin specialist) or a GP trained in skin cancer management. Biopsy and treatment may be recommended. The discussion will include recommended timeframes for review, and concerning lesions will be documented or identified on a diagram for the worker to take with them. Workers who wish to see a dermatologist or certain skin cancer clinics require a referral from their regular GP to be eligible for a Medicare rebate.
