New Zealand has the world’s highest rates of skin cancer, because of our excessive skin exposure to high levels of ultraviolet light.

There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and the rarest but potentially deadly melanoma.

Often the sun damaged skin first develops precursor lesions known as actinic keratoses, which can over time develop into skin cancers. Many of us have these red / brown scaly marks on our chronically sun exposed skin.

Many people in New Zealand develop a scaling, sometimes cracking, change to the skin of the lips, particularly the lower lip. This is a condition known as Actinic cheilitis and it is a precursor to potentially deadly squamous cell carcinoma of the lip, which can rapidly spread beyond the lip if neglected.

Treatment

The precursor actinic keratoses and some superficial skin cancers can be removed by a variety of means including cryotherapy, special treatment creams and, where rapid healing and precise treatment, along with scarless healing are important, by erbium laser.

Most skin cancers require removal by surgery and some more difficult skin cancers may require a special surgical technique, known as Mohs Surgery. Dr Le Grice will recommend and perform surgical removal or Mohs surgery removal of your skin cancer where this is the most appropriate procedure.