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Mole Mapping & Total Body Photography
Total body mole mapping in Canberra using FotoFinder ATBM. Every mole imaged and compared over time to catch change early. Gungahlin clinic, no referral.
What total body mapping is
Total body mapping is a photographic record of your skin, taken systematically so that the same areas can be compared at a later visit. Gentle Hands uses the FotoFinder bodystudio ATBM system, an advanced imaging system for skin surveillance and mole monitoring, and was one of the first clinics in Canberra to offer it.
The point is not the photographs themselves. It is the comparison between them.
Why comparing images over time matters
A single mole examined once can only be judged on how it looks that day. The same mole photographed across two visits can be judged on whether it has changed, and change is what prompts closer clinical assessment.
That is the difference mapping makes: it turns a snapshot into a record, so a new or changing lesion stands out against your own skin rather than against a textbook.
Who benefits most
Mapping is most useful for people with many moles, atypical naevi, a personal or family history of melanoma, or significant sun exposure over the years, where tracking a large number of lesions by memory or notes alone is not realistic.
If you have only a few moles and no particular risk factors, a standard skin check may be all you need. Dr Suran will tell you honestly which of the two suits you.
What the appointment involves
Imaging is done in clinic. Selected lesions are also examined closely with dermoscopy, and the images are stored securely for long-term comparison at future visits.
You will not be handed a report and left to interpret it. After the appointment Dr Suran walks you through what was found and what happens next.
Mapping and skin checks work together
Total body mapping does not replace a skin check. The imaging builds the record; the examination is where a doctor looks at your skin, uses dermoscopy on anything of interest, and decides what to do.
Most people who map continue to have skin checks as well, with the imaging making each visit better informed than the last.
Common questions
Who is Total Body Mapping recommended for?
It is particularly useful for patients who:
- Have many moles
- Have atypical or unusual-looking moles
- Have a personal history of melanoma
- Have a strong family history of melanoma
- Are considered at increased risk of skin cancer
Does Total Body Mapping replace a skin check?
No. Total Body Mapping is an additional surveillance tool and does not replace a clinical examination by a doctor.
How long does the Total Body Mapping appointment take?
The initial appointment generally takes longer than a standard skin check because photographs are taken and reviewed. Follow-up appointments are usually shorter.
Will all of my skin be photographed?
The system captures photographs of most of the skin surface to assist with ongoing monitoring.
How often should Total Body Mapping be repeated?
This varies depending on your risk profile and clinical findings. Dr Rajapakse will recommend an appropriate surveillance schedule.