Dr Wassall was the first doctor on the New South Wales Central Coast to use a MoleMax machine. This device is designed to take a digital image of a suspicious mole to allow monitoring for future changes which may indicate that it is a melanoma. Dr Wassall used this machine as the workhorse of his Skin Cancer Practice from 1998 until 2006. Due to advances in technology, Dr Wassall no longer uses the MoleMax camera but rather uses a digital camera attached to a dermatoscope to take photographs of suspicious moles.

A lot of patients ask him why he has changed his method. Look at the photographs below and the answer should be apparent.

Dr Wassall has taken a photograph of a melanoma using the two systems. The first photograph is taken with the MoleMax camera and the second one with a digital camera attached to a dermatoscope. It is obvious that the digital camera image is much clearer with more colours and features visible. These photographs had to be reduced in size for publication on the internet. When these photographs are looked at next to each other at full size the difference in quality is even more apparent. Some of the features that identify this lesion as a melanoma are not visible on the MoleMax photograph.

It is more time consuming to photograph and store images using a digital camera as opposed to a MoleMax machine. However, Dr Wassall believes the extra time and effort is justified when the differences in image quality are so significant. It is also for this reason that Dr Wassall uses hand held dermatoscopes for his examination rather than the MoleMax machine. He believes that the features visible with the MoleMax machine are often not sufficient to allow a precise diagnosis in many circumstances. His opinion is that the MoleMax machine is still a useful tool for monitoring moles for change but is not the best tool available for initial diagnosis.

For more photographs taken with a digital camera attached to a dermatoscope, please go to the Image Gallery.

There has been considerable media attention lately with regard to Skin Cancer Clinics. Various medical specialists are making statements about whether or not Skin Cancer Clinic doctors are adequately trained to perform skin cancer checks and offer treatments.

Dermatologists have generally been critical of Skin Cancer Clinics and suggested that only dermatologists or GPs should perform these checks. However, the majority of doctors in Skin Cancer Clinics are GPs! There is also no possibility that dermatologists could cope with the influx of extra patients if they performed these checks. It often already takes several months to see one.

There does seem to be an element of "turf protection" from the dermatologists but they do raise valid points regarding safety and appropriate training. The Cancer Council of NSW has produced a guide to Skin Cancer Clinics. This is presented in an unbiased manner and makes some good suggestions. Please visit www.cancercouncil.com.au/editorial.asp?pageid=1339.