Skin Check Guide
plow surf co. — free skin check guide
you can check
your own skin.
here's how.
Prevention is better than a cure — but early detection is your best chance at it. Let us teach you how to S.C.A.N. your own skin for some peace of mind between skin checks.
the S.C.A.N. method — monthly self-checking
S.C.A.N. acronym via scanyourskin.org — Cancer Society of NZ / Melanoma NZ
S.C.A.N. focuses on change over time — the most accessible early warning sign. You don't need training. You just need to know your own skin well enough to notice when something's different.
S
Sore
Scaly, itchy, bleeding or tender — and won't heal within 6 weeks. Healthy skin heals. Persistently sore spots don't.
C
Changing
Any change in size, shape, colour or texture. Take a photo monthly. If it looks different — GET IT CHECKED.
A
Abnormal
Looks or feels different. The "ugly duckling" that stands out from your other spots. Trust your gut.
N
New
Monitor any new lesion growths. Get them checked especially if they differ from your usual.
Flagged a spot? Don't wait. Book a skin check now.
find a clinicyour skin check calendar
self-check — every month
dermoscopy — every year
Australian surfers are at 120x higher risk of melanoma than the average Australian. Southern Cross University, 2023 — if your doctor recommends more frequent checks, follow their advice.
BCC & SCC — worth knowing about
BCC (basal cell carcinoma) and SCC (squamous cell carcinoma) are the most common skin cancers in Australia — and what you're most likely to self-identify. They appear as scaly patches, raised pink or pearly lumps, something that bleeds or won't heal. Hot spots are where you've copped the most sun — face, hairline, scalp, neck, arms.
Unlike melanoma which can pop up anywhere, not just sun exposed areas, SCC & BCC tend to form directly where the skin cell trauma happens. So check these spots thoroughly. Earlier the detection, the less invasive the removal.
A.B.C.D.E. — know the signs
A.B.C.D.E. criteria: Cancer Council Australia / standard dermoscopy practice
These are the clinical signs to look for when self-checking. If you notice any of these, see your GP. But remember — looks can deceive in both directions.
A
Asymmetry
B
Border
C
Colour
D
Diameter
E
Evolving
A spot can tick multiple boxes and be benign under dermoscopy. Or look completely normal and be an early melanoma only visible under the scope. Self-checking is essential and saves lives. Dermoscopy adds a layer of detection the naked eye can't replicate. It's not either/or — it's both.
so what is dermoscopy, exactly?
The difference between guessing and knowing.
A dermatoscope magnifies your skin — Grace's scope goes up to 10x — and uses polarised light that penetrates below the skin surface, revealing structures invisible to the naked eye: pigment networks, vascular patterns, sub-surface changes that distinguish a harmless mole from an early melanoma.
This works in both directions. It can confirm a scary-looking spot is benign, saving you from an unnecessary biopsy. Or it can flag something unremarkable as something urgent. Early-stage melanomas caught under dermoscopy — before they show visible signs — have the best outcomes. That's why yearly dermoscopy isn't optional if you spend real time in the sun.
10x
magnification on Grace's scope
polarised
light sees below skin surface
earlier
detection = better outcomes
the bigger picture
Detection is important. Prevention is better.
95–99% of all skin cancers in Australia are caused by UV exposure — which means almost all are preventable. UV damage accumulates over our lives and can't reverse. That's why we NEVER forget sun protection when UV is 3 or above. Slip, slop, slap, seek, slide — and cover up in the water.
flagged a spot or just overdue?
you or someone else overdue for a skin check?
So, you've identified a spot that's failed your S.C.A.N. test — what do you do now? Make an appointment with a skin cancer specialist (GP or dermatologist). Our partners at Skin Check Champions have a map on their app where you can find your closest clinic. They also have a new tool where you can log your checks, and champion your mates to get checked too!
Book through Grace's referral link. Free app, gamified skin check reminders, and future sun-safe deals as the platform grows.
Grace earns points on a leaderboard, not money. Free referral that helps get more people checked.
Melanoma takes approx 4 Australian lives every day. Cancer Council Australia
This is general educational health advice and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. If you are concerned about any spot or lesion please see your GP or qualified skin cancer clinician, and don't be afraid to seek a 2nd opinion.
plow surf co.