Skin Aware
Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in NZ every year, making up 80% of new cancers diagnosed.
NZ currently has the highest mortality rate from melanoma in the world. Skin cancer is 95-100% curable if detected and treated early. This is why it is so important to have regular skin cancer screenings.
Sara Briant a Registered Nurse/ Dermoscopist at Skin Aware provides comprehensive and affordable skin cancer screenings to people at her clinic in Three Rivers Medical Centre.
Sara is passionate about early detection and prevention of skin cancer and has completed further training holding an Advanced Certificate in Dermatoscopy.
Sara uses a dematoscope to examine moles very closely as part of her full assessment of the patient. Photographs are taken of skin lesions that are concerning or need close monitoring and are stored on a secure system. Moles can be mapped over time to monitor closely. If she thinks a mole or lesion needs further investigation and treatment she will refer patients to the appropriate service.
Sara is also one of the Skin Aware travelling skin cancer nurses delivering our award- winning workplace program around the country. She enjoys being able to educate people about what to watch out for as well as identifying skin cancers in well people with no concerns. Having been an ICU nurse for many years she knows what the result is if cancers are left undetected until too late and wants to help people avoid that.
“Getting to know your skin is very important,” Sara says.
“Learning to scan your skin regularly, looking out for any spots that are sore, scaly, changing in colour, shape, size, abnormal or standout or are new could just save your life. If something is concerning you or not healing after 6 weeks it is important to seek assessment.
Sara’s motto is “if in doubt, get it checked out”