Skin cancer checks at Coogee Beach Doctors
Thorough, full-body checks with Dr Edward Lyle - certified in Skin Cancer Medicine, Advanced Dermoscopy and Skin Cancer Surgery.
What a skin cancer check involves
A skin cancer check is a full-body visual examination performed by Dr Edward Lyle using a polarised dermoscope - a hand-held device that magnifies the skin under polarised light to look for moles, freckles and lesions that look unusual.
Dr Lyle holds certificates in Skin Cancer Medicine, Advanced Dermoscopy and Dermal Imaging, and Skin Cancer Surgery, and uses the dermoscope on every full-body check at the practice - not only on lesions you've already noticed.
The visit usually runs 20 to 30 minutes. You'll undress to your underwear so every area of skin can be examined, including areas that don't see daily sunlight. If anything looks unusual, Dr Lyle will photograph it for the record and either take a small biopsy on the day or book a follow-up.
Many findings are benign — what the check buys you is a documented baseline you can compare against next year. A skin check is a snapshot of what's visible now; for most adults, an annual check is recommended but Dr Lyle will discuss your specific circumstances with you on the day.
Do you need a skin cancer check?
If you've been wondering whether a skin check is worth booking, here's who tends to come in for one, and who's usually better served by a different first step.
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✓ Adults of any age, especially anyone with fair skin, a family history of skin cancer, or a history of significant sun exposure (lifeguards, swimmers, surfers, people who grew up in Australia before sun-protection became routine).
✓ Anyone who has noticed a new or changing mole, freckle, or skin lesion and wants it assessed by a GP trained in dermoscopy.
✓ Patients due for an annual check - most adults benefit from a full-body check every 12 months; some at higher risk benefit from every 6.
✓ Anyone returning from a high-UV trip - pre- and post-trip checks are common around extended summer holidays.
✓ Patients whose private health fund covers skin checks (e.g. some Bupa, HCF and Medibank extras tiers - check with your fund).
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✘ Children under 18 - generally children under 18 are not recommended to have routine skin checks. Paediatric skin concerns are usually managed differently. Speak with a consulting doctor at the practice for a paediatric skin review.
✘ Anyone needing surgical removal of a known melanoma - that needs a dermatologist or surgical referral. A consulting doctor at the practice can arrange the referral on the day if needed.
✘ Patients seeking purely cosmetic mole removal for aesthetic reasons - that's a separate conversation, however Dr Lyle can discuss your options during a consultation.
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If you fall outside the suitable-for list, you can still book a standard consultation with one of the consulting doctors at the practice - they can assess on the day and recommend the right next step, including a referral to a dermatologist or surgeon if needed.
What to expect at your skin check
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Bring any photos you've taken of moles or spots you're worried about. Avoid wearing make-up or fake tan that morning so the skin reads accurately under the dermoscope. Wear something easy to undress to underwear in. Allow up to 45 minutes if you suspect a lesion may need biopsy on the day.
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Reception confirms your details and Medicare card. If it's your first visit you'll fill in a short history form covering your medical and family history.
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Dr Lyle asks about your sun-exposure history, family history of skin cancer, and any spots you've noticed change. You'll undress to underwear and put on a gown. There's a chaperone available on request.
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Dr Lyle systematically examines every area of skin using the polarised dermoscope, including areas you don't see daily, such as the scalp, soles of feet, between fingers and toes. If a spot looks unusual, it's photographed for the record so you have a documented baseline at your next check. Sometimes a biopsy is reccommended. You can ask questions throughout.
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Dr Lyle explains what was found, walks you through any photographed lesions, and recommends next steps, most commonly an annual return visit, a 3 or 6-month follow-up for a single watch-and-wait spot, or a same-day biopsy if a lesion needs closer histology.
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If a lesion needs a closer look, Dr Lyle endeavor to take a punch biopsy or shave biopsy on the day in the on-site treatment room. Larger excisions are typically booked within 5 working days. The practice provides the room, nursing support and equipment around the procedure.
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If a biopsy was taken, results usually come within 5–10 working days. Reception will book the follow-up before you leave. If anything changes between visits, a spot grows, bleeds, itches, or doesn't heal, book a focused review rather than waiting for the annual.
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A biopsy or excision involves a small scratch or punch in the skin under local anaesthetic. Most heal in 1–2 weeks with minor scarring; larger excisions may leave a small linear scar. Call the practice if you notice spreading redness, fever, or unexpected pain after the procedure. A skin check examines what is visible on the day, it does not detect skin cancers that have not yet surfaced, which is why most adults are advised to come back every 12 months. Dr Lyle will discuss your individual risk and the right cadence at the visit.
Meet your skin cancer clinician
Dr. Edward Lyle
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP)
Dr Edward Lyle is a consulting GP at Coogee Beach Doctors, where he has been seeing patients since April 2024. He studied at James Cook University, attained Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in 2013, and has since practised across Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia, in group practices, Indigenous health services and hospital settings.
Dr Lyle holds three formal certifications in skin cancer:
Certificate of Primary Care in Skin Cancer Medicine
Certificate of Advanced Dermoscopy and Dermal Imaging
Certificate of Primary Skin Cancer Surgery
He uses polarised dermoscopy on every full-body skin check, and performs skin biopsies and minor excisions in the on-site treatment room when clinically indicated.
Outside skin, Dr Lyle's clinical interests include family medicine, chronic disease management, office-based surgical procedures, mental health support, and travel medicine. He is also an Advanced Life Support 2 Accredited Provider and a Focused Psychological Skills Training Accredited Provider.
Dr Lyle is currently accepting new patients.
Frequently asked questions about skin cancer checks
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No. You can book a skin cancer check directly with Dr Lyle. If something is found that needs a dermatologist or surgical referral, Dr Lyle can write the referral on the day.
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Skin cancer checks at the practice are billed under standard GP Medicare items (most commonly item 23 or 36 per consult length). The practice is private-billing, bulk-billing isn't offered for skin checks. The Medicare rebate is processed automatically with a valid Medicare card, and reception will confirm the out-of-pocket gap and any procedural fees before booking. EFTPOS and HICAPS are available on-site.
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Most adults benefit from a full-body skin check every 12 months. If you have a personal or family history of skin cancer, fair skin, or significant sun exposure, Dr Lyle may recommend every 6 months. The right cadence depends on your individual risk, Dr Lyle will discuss this on the day.
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A GP-led skin check at the practice is a structured visual examination of every area of skin, performed with a polarised dermoscope. Dr Lyle holds certificates in Skin Cancer Medicine, Advanced Dermoscopy, and Skin Cancer Surgery. If a finding needs surgical removal of a confirmed melanoma, or specialised dermatology investigation (for example a complex skin condition unrelated to cancer), a referral to a dermatologist is the right pathway, Dr Lyle can write that referral on the day if it's needed.
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Most full-body skin checks take 20–30 minutes. Allow up to 45 minutes if you suspect a lesion may need biopsy on the day.
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Yes, Dr Lyle can usually take a punch or shave biopsy on the day in the on-site treatment room if a lesion needs closer histology. Larger excisions are typically booked within 5 working days.
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Skin cancer medicine is Medicare-billed, not private-health-fund-billed, health-fund extras don't apply to the consultation itself. Some funds (Bupa, HCF, Medibank, others) include skin-check benefits under specific tiers; check directly with your fund. The Medicare rebate is processed automatically.
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This page was last medically reviewed by Dr Edward Lyle (AHPRA-registered general practitioner, FRACGP) in April 2026, and is reviewed annually or when clinical guidance changes, whichever is sooner. The clinical guidance on this page draws on:
Cancer Council Australia, Clinical practice guidelines for keratinocyte cancer (2019). wiki.cancer.org.au/australia/Guidelines:Keratinocyte_carcinoma
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice (Red Book), 10th edition (2024). racgp.org.au/clinical-resources/clinical-guidelines/key-racgp-guidelines/view-all-racgp-guidelines/red-book
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Cancer in Australia 2024. aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-in-australia-2024
Cancer Council Australia, Position Statement: Screening and early detection of skin cancer. cancer.org.au/about-us/policy-and-advocacy/position-statements/screening-and-early-detection-of-skin-cancer
The content here is general information about skin cancer checks at Coogee Beach Doctors. It is not medical advice for your specific situation. If you have concerns about a mole, freckle or skin lesion, book an appointment so a doctor can examine it directly.
Book a skin cancer check today
When you're ready, the practice usually has skin-check appointments available within five working days. Thorough care, in your community.
Looking for something else?
Here are some of the other services available at Coogee Beach Doctors
Pre-trip and post-trip skin checks
For frequent travellers and patients heading somewhere with strong UV exposure, a pre-trip and post-trip check can be useful, Dr Lyle is one of the consulting doctors at the practice who offers this.
Preventative health checks
For comprehensive bloods, cardiovascular and metabolic baselines alongside your skin check, Dr Phil Orme offers structured preventative health consultations at the practice.
General consults
or everything outside skin, children's health, women's health, mental health, perimenopause, family planning. Each consulting doctor sets their own clinical scope.