Have looked into it and a few health insurers seem to do it via the internet (I guess you use your mobile phone camera), this is not really something I am looking for, at least for the first time.
Was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for mole mapping in Zurich?
We just go to the dermatologist and ask for a mole check up. They then check all your moles one by one with a special glass and take photos of the ones they feel need control in one or two years.
It's called a Mohs checkup. Should be done yearly if you have any suspicious ones. OH delivered me to my doctor yesterday and happened to show my derm his cheek, which has an innocent-looking newish small mole...Doc said, "Well, that'll have to come off!"
Are you sure he wasn’t referring to your clothes?
Our docs call it "muttermalkontrolle".
Can I stress the importance of it. I had a basal cell carcinoma on my chin which was removed by a plastic surgeon. It was very small, but still required a 3cm excision. Unfortunately the wound became infected so has caused a sunken scar which I shall probably have to have surgically corrected.
Whilst waiting for the stitches to come out on my face, I had my first full body check which found a melanoma on my leg which biopsy showed to be invasive and which required a further large marginal excision. My cancer was at Stage 1A, but even this could have metastasised. Melanoma is one of the most aggressive cancers so I have been lucky. I am now at higher risk of squamous cell carcinoma which can be very disfiguring. I am sure many people think skin cancer can be easily dealt with, but that is not always the case. I urge everyone, particularly the fair skinned, to get checked.
Yes, I am getting to the point where I realise I need to take care of myself!
Is there anyone you can recommend for a body check? Any idea how much it would cost?
In Australia, I would have a full body check every 6 months. There were rarely any visits when I didn't have something cut off me!
I'm curious to see what the options are for similar types of checks here. It's been several years since I've had one, and I'm genetically predisposed to melanoma. As Klostersgirl has said, it's a nasty one.
I use Dr Claude Luder who I very much like. He speaks excellent English. I have to say I think he rather likes privately insured patients https://www.klinikbethanien.ch/en/do...-claude-luder/
He works in Meilen on Thursdays and I think is in the process of setting up his own Praxis. I paid around CHF 260 for a full body check (I think). Following my diagnosis my sons also got checked, one at Unispital ZH and one at a randomly chosen Dermatologist near his office. They both paid around CHF 150.
The Dermatology Department in Unispital has an international reputation and from advice I was given is really the only place to go for melanoma treatment in the unlucky event of needing it. I can't say I liked it at all as I prefer a more personal medical service, but my son finds it perfectly fine. It also runs clinical trials for more advanced melanomas. I sincerely hope you don't need that service at any time in your life.
I hope you get back into the habit of regular checks @itsJess. Australians seem to be really up on all this.
I just had this done with Dr Pedrazetti in Adliswil. Very basic. He uses a machine to take pictures of anything that needs to be observed. In my case, all clear and he will send a reminder in 2 years to do another check.
Don't know if the health insurance pays - will have to as them...
Both of these practices in Seefeld will do this: Laser Praxis Zürich Praxis für Dermatologie Such a skin check is standard and both of these practices will do this.
I can recomend both of them.
Not sure of the cost, should be a couple of hundreds. We go to the Med X praxis in Friesenberg in Zurich and their dermatologist (they have several around Zurich). Very efficient, punctual, reasonable availability of appts. It can or not be covered by insurance, will depend a bit how the doc does the bill and how relaxed your insurance is.
can recommend
https://www.dermazentrumzuerich.ch/d...ha-kettelhack/
regular yearly check will cost around 100 CHF, like 10-15 minutes , if nothing extraordinary
first check could take maybe longer thus bit more expensive,
mole pictures only taken if needed or suspicious
best is to have the same doctor over years
One more thing. I asked my Insurer if I could use any dermatologist, they said yes as long as I have a prescription from my HausArzt (I assume this will cost money).
I have a 2000chf Insurance co-payment.
Would it be possible/better, for my to go to the dermatologist directly and pay directly?
If you want it to count towards the 2000 co-payment then you have to go the route through your Hausarzt.
Depending on your hausarzt and your relationship to them you might be able to arrange this through email or a phone call.
It's probably a good idea to do this through your Hausarzt as, if your skin needs any follow up care, everything is properly documented. Also, it is the beginning of the year, you don't know where your health costs will end up.
Also going through your GP can help you get an appointment faster because you're being referred as opposed to self-referring. My GP has called specialist offices for me and sent letters in advance, which meant that I was able to get in quickly.