If you’ve noticed a changing mole or unusual spot, you may wonder: Do I need to see a dermatologist to check for skin cancer? The answer may surprise you. While dermatologists are skin specialists, they’re not the only professionals trained to detect skin cancers.

Who Can Diagnose Skin Cancer?
At Skin Institute, not all of our Skin Cancer Doctors are not dermatologists. They are general practitioners who have completed additional training and specialisation in skin cancer medicine and surgery. Alongside them, our Nurse Dermoscopists are highly trained in dermoscopy (the use of magnification and light to examine lesions) and perform thousands of skin checks every year.

Our Skin Cancer Doctors:

A Skin Cancer Doctor is a medical doctor who has completed 5 years of medical school and obtained a medical degree (MBChB).  They have then undergone at least another 4 years of specialist GP training, followed by further training in skin cancer medicine, surgery and dermatology. They are trained to diagnose skin cancers and other skin conditions using a dermatoscope which is a handheld device to visualise the skin’s structures and patterns and are qualified to perform procedures such as skin biopsies, excisions, and prescribe medications.

Our Nurse Dermoscopists:

A Nurse Dermoscopist is a registered nurse (RN) who has undergone additional training and certification in dermoscopy, which is a technique used for examining the skin at a magnified level. Dermoscopy involves using a handheld device called a dermatoscope to visualise the skin’s structures and patterns. They are trained to recognise various skin patterns and assist in differentiating benign lesions from potentially malignant ones. Nurse Dermoscopists do not perform surgical procedures or prescribe medications but work as part of a collaborative team with Skin Cancer Doctors and dermatologists and can refer on if further analysis or treatment is required.

Why This Matters

• Access to care: If only dermatologists could diagnose skin cancers, wait times would be much longer. Having Skin Cancer Doctors and Nurse Dermoscopists means more patients can be seen quickly.
• Focused expertise: Our Skin Cancer Doctors work almost exclusively in this field, meaning their day-to-day practice is dedicated to detecting, diagnosing and treating skin cancers.
• Collaborative care: When needed, our team works closely with surgeons and head and neck surgeons under one roof, ensuring patients don’t fall through the cracks.

You don’t have to see a dermatologist for skin cancer. What matters is seeing a qualified, experienced professional who can detect and manage it early. At Skin Institute, that means our Skin Cancer Doctors and Nurse Dermoscopists, backed by a full team of surgical and medical specialists if you need them.