Total Body Photography & Surveillance
Total Body Photography & Surveillance at BayMed Medical Centre & Skin Cancer Clinic
Total body photography creates a visual record of your skin so that new or changing lesions can be spotted more easily over time. At BayMed Medical Centre & Skin Cancer Clinic in Cheltenham, we use total body photography and structured surveillance alongside skin checks, digital dermoscopy and mole mapping to support patients who are at higher risk of skin cancer.
We see patients for total body imaging from Cheltenham, Mentone, Highett, Moorabbin, Hampton, Sandringham, Beaumaris and the wider Bayside and south-east Melbourne areas, as well as people who travel from across Victoria for skin cancer checks at our Cheltenham clinic.
What Is Total Body Photography?
Total body photography involves taking a series of clinical photographs that cover most of the skin surface – for example the back, chest, arms, legs and profile views.
These images:
- Provide a baseline “map” of your moles and marks
- Make it easier to detect new lesions that weren’t there before
- Help your doctor see if an existing mole has changed in size, shape or colour
At BayMed, total body photography is usually combined with targeted digital dermoscopy for individual lesions that need closer inspection.
Who Might Benefit from Total Body Photography & Surveillance?
Your BayMed skin cancer doctor may recommend total body photography if you:
- Have many moles, especially if some are atypical
- Have a personal or family history of melanoma or other skin cancers
- Have had multiple skin cancers removed in the past
- Find it difficult to keep track of new or changing spots yourself
- Want a more structured, image-based way to monitor your skin over time
Not everyone needs this level of imaging. For some people, regular skin checks are enough. Your doctor will explain whether total body photography adds value in your situation.
What Happens During a Total Body Photography Appointment?
A typical total body photography and surveillance visit at BayMed may include:
- History and risk review
Your doctor reviews your personal and family history of skin cancer, previous procedures, sun exposure and any current concerns. - Skin examination
A skin check is performed to identify areas of interest, assess existing lesions and decide which regions need to be photographed. - Clinical photography
A sequence of standardised photos is taken in a private setting, usually while you are in your underwear. Care is taken to preserve dignity and capture consistent angles for future comparison. - Targeted imaging (if needed)
Individual moles or lesions of interest may also be photographed with digital dermoscopy or close-up clinical images. - Surveillance plan
Your doctor explains how the images will be used at future visits, how often you should return, and whether you should be added to our High-Risk / Recall Program for scheduled follow-up.
All images are stored securely and used only for your medical care.
How Total Body Photography Supports Skin Cancer Surveillance
Total body photography and surveillance can help:
- Highlight new lesions that were not present on your original images
- Show subtle changes in existing moles that may not be obvious from memory alone
- Reduce unnecessary worry about spots that look the same across multiple visits
- Give your doctor a clearer overview of your entire skin, not just isolated moles
This approach is particularly useful over months and years, as more comparison points are added and your skin “story” becomes easier to follow.
Important Considerations and Limitations
Total body photography and surveillance are powerful tools, but they:
- Do not replace self-checks – you should still watch for new or changing spots between appointments.
- Do not guarantee a skin cancer will never be missed – some lesions can arise or change quickly between visits.
- Work best with regular follow-up – the value grows over time as more image sets are added.
Your doctor will explain how total body photography fits into your overall skin cancer care, and when other steps—such as biopsy, excision or more frequent reviews—are needed.
Booking Total Body Photography in Cheltenham
If you have many moles, a history of skin cancer, or you simply want a more structured way to monitor your skin, you can book a Skin Cancer Clinic appointment at BayMed Medical Centre & Skin Cancer Clinic in Cheltenham and ask about total body photography and surveillance.
Bookings can be made online or by calling our reception team. Let them know you’re interested in total body photography / skin cancer surveillance so we can allow enough time and ensure you see a doctor with a special interest in skin cancer.
