Getting your moles checked has now been made easier thanks to our new mole scanning service. We're working in partnership with DeepX Health to run the DermoSight mole scanning service.
Why would I have a mole scan?
Most people have moles and freckles on their skin and some have more than others. Sometimes, when checking moles, you may notice a change in appearance. Although a change in the appearance of a mole or freckles is normal and harmless – a change could indicate cancer.
Early detection is the best step in the prevention of serious skin cancers, which is why it is best to get any suspicious moles screened by a Consultant Dermatologist. We offer the DermoSight mole scanning service at our hospital which provides you with an assessment of any moles or pigmented lesions you may be worried about.
What does a DermoSight mole scan involve at Benenden Hospital?
The service, which is accessible to patients via self-pay is available to anyone aged 18 and over, and is a two-stage process:
Stage 1
A colleague in our clinical Outpatient team will take you through to a consultation room. They’ll ask you to complete a short questionnaire to assess your risk factors for skin cancer as well as a consent form.
- You’ll be asked to identify the mole(s) or pigmented lesion(s) that you’d like scanned
- Your Nurse will take an image of your mole using specially designed equipment, a dermatoscope. This hand-held device allows your clinician to see an area of the skin more clearly than with the naked eye
- A digital image is then sent securely to our Consultant Dermatologist for review
The consultation will last about 20 minutes.
Stage 2
The scans will be analysed by a Consultant Dermatologist for signs of benign and malignant melanoma, with a report sent to you within one week. If the results show that your mole(s) or pigmented lesion(s) are a concern, the clinical Outpatient team or your Consultant Dermatologist will contact you promptly and as a priority to discuss the next steps.
How much does a mole check cost?
- The first mole/pigmented lesion will cost £55
- Each additional mole/pigmented lesion scanned within the same consultation will cost £20
The mole screening service doesn’t provide a diagnosis of skin cancer, but our Dermatology specialists can analyse the moles/lesions and can identify any signs that mean moles might need further investigation.
If you’re under 18 and have any concerns about your moles or pigmented lesions, please see your GP.
Jane Abbott, Hospital Director, said: “I’m delighted that we can now offer this new service. This means that we can offer faster mole screening checks to our patients and access to our team of expert Consultant Dermatologists. One of the benefits of using this service is that patients will get their results within a week.”
Mole scanning at Benenden Hospital
It's easy to book your mole scan online or by contacting our Private Patient team via Livechat or on 01580 363158.
Published on 25 May 2023