Skin is the human body’s largest organ

TREATING SKIN AILMENTS WITH ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION... GV Skin and Specialist Centre receptionist, Gina Baker and nurse Julie Roberts operate the UV treatment chamber. Photo: Steve Hutcheson
TREATING SKIN AILMENTS WITH ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION… GV Skin and Specialist Centre receptionist, Gina Baker and nurse Julie Roberts operate the UV treatment chamber. Photo: Steve Hutcheson

It might surprise you, but skin is our largest organ, on average, it weighs about 3.5kg and measures around 2m2. It is also the organ that is one of the most affected by cancer.

Skin cancer is, however, treatable if detected in time. Detection is determined by skin specialists who can distinguish between the moles that many of us have and a cancerous spot.

To get to that point, the specialist needs to do a thorough visual examination, and skin surface microscopy examination. Dr Matthew Wong, partner at GV Skin & Specialist Centre said, “This climate in the Goulburn Valley is particularly harsh and we see a lot of patients coming through with small cancers. The detection of small cancers is only possible with meticulous skin check using dermatoscope.”

Aside from conducting visual and skin surface microscopic examinations, the clinic has a mole mapping facility that aids them in the process of monitoring the growth of moles and to highlight any new moles which could potentially be a cancerous spot such as melanoma.

A further service they provide is in the treatment of psoriasis, eczema, vilitigo and other skin conditions. The clinic has a state-of-the-art narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) treatment chamber in which a client with severe condition is bathed in specific wavelengths of ultraviolet radiation for a few seconds to a few minutes as a means of treatment. Psoriasis and eczema can be worse during winter and a lot of their patients with those chronic skin conditions are experiencing great benefit from this treatment.

GV Skin and Specialist Centre does not require referrals, clients can simply ring 5820 0500 or book online at http://www.gvskin.com.au or via HotDoc app, to make an appointment. The clinic is located at 20 Wyndham Street, Shepparton.