Mole Mapping

Malignant melanoma is a skin cancer that develops in melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin or pigment for the skin, hair, and eyes. Only 20-30% of melanomas are found in existing moles, while 70-80% arise on apparently normal skin. Total Body Photography helps monitor a patient’s risk of developing melanoma. Early detection of melanoma is critical as it presents a cure rate of over 95%.

Total Body Photography can be offered to Advanced Dermatology Clinic patients who want to undergo comprehensive screening for abnormal moles and melanoma. It is especially recommended for patients with the following risk factors:

– Light skin type reacting sensitively to sunlight

– Large number of moles

– Large congenital (present from birth) moles

– Mole(s) that have recently changed

– Getting sunburnt as a child or adolescent

– Family history of skin cancer

– Previous diagnosis of skin cancer or atypical moles

– Regular exposure to strong sunlight

– History of sunbed use

– Immune system due to an organ transplant, cancer, chemotherapy or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

For the initial (baseline) examination we recommend an appointment with Dr Kukula, in order to have your moles examined and be advised if FotoFinder^® Total Body Photography is appropriate for you. Following that consultation, one of our medical professionals will invite you to the FotoFinder^® examination for your photographs to be taken.

If the patient is younger than 18 years, a parent or legal guardian must be present.

A typical session includes a series of 16-20 photographs of various zones of your body.  You may undress to your level of comfort. If advised by your dermatologist, photography may include breasts and/or buttocks. Some of the moles identified by the consultant will have High-Definition Video Dermoscopy images taken following the Total Body Photography examination. Prior to your session, you will be asked to sign an informed consent form. The examination takes about 45 minutes.

– Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that you can easily remove

– Choose plain coloured underwear without a pattern, gentlemen should wear shorts that do not cover their upper thighs, and swim briefs are preferred (as on the chart below)

– You may bring in your own slippers and gown for your comfort

– Avoid wearing makeup and nail polish, we will ask you to remove jewelry

– Avoid self-tanning products 10 days before the appointment

– Keep your hair tied and away from your face

– Shave areas with significant body hair so that moles can be visualised

– Do not schedule your session if you have a rash or a recent sunburn

Your photographs are stored on the local secure server – part of the FotoFinder^® Master System; they are not stored in any off-site location (i.e. “the cloud”). Total body photographs are not shared or viewed by anyone except Dr Kukula. In some situations, Dr Kukula may wish to consult other experts/ dermatologists with anonymised images or use the built-in FotoFinder Artificial Intelligence mole grading system.

At present, Total Body Photography is covered by some insurance companies on individual patient basis – it has to be pre-approved. Advanced Dermatology Clinic offers this service for £290 per session in addition to the standard charges for the consultation with Dr Kukula. The Total Body Photography payment is due on the day of your appointment.

Your GP may refer you to Dr Kukula for the Total Body Photography, or you may request an appointment with Dr Kukula to discuss if FotoFinder® digital mole mapping is recommended for you. Dr Kukula will also recommend when digital mole mapping should be repeated – usually in 12 months. Repeated (follow-up) mole mapping sessions should be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. Please contact Dr Kukula’s Secretary for the appointment on 07797 777730 or on booking@dermatology.je.