Beyond the scars: The new Canberra clinic treating the physical and emotional toll of skin cancer. Skin cancer and aesthetic medicine: all in one place.
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After watching her mother’s 11-year battle with melanoma, Online Editor Erin Cross uncovers the holistic care she wishes they’d had sooner at Mawson’s SkinWiseClinics.
When my mum was diagnosed with stage three melanoma, I’ll never forget the look on her face when she first showed me the scar.
I was 16. She was 48. The wound was deep, raw and red – a large scoop taken out of the muscle in the back of her leg. Coming up to 11 years since that initial diagnosis, it’s now just one of several scars that are scattered on her body.
Skin cancer leaves its mark in more ways than one. Physically, the scars can be painful and take years to heal. Mentally, the emotional toll can be even more damaging than the cancer itself.
That’s why when Dr Kath Cummins decided to open her own practice – she wanted a space where patients could find skin cancer care and aesthetic medicine all in one place.
A qualified doctor with advanced training in both skin cancer management and cosmetic medicine, Dr Kath’s credentials are extensive, beginning her early career training to be a surgeon.
“I like fixing things,” she says. “It’s all about seeing genuine results, top to toe.”
As a parent to three active children, SkinWiseClinics was never a part of Dr Kath’s long-term plan. However, she realised that she wanted to work somewhere the patients – the people – truly come first. So, she built it herself.
SkinWiseClinics in Mawson.
The result is a clinic where she is able to take a balanced, medical approach to skin cancer, acne, weight management, hair regrowth, and of course cosmetic medicine.
Along with offering lifesaving skin cancer checks (using whole body photography) the clinic’s services extend to skin microneedling, weight management, hair regrowth treatments, acne management, Fotona laser, LED light therapy, all the way to wrinkle management with a registered nurse and two dermal clinicians.
While anyone can book in for aesthetic treatments, the offering links back to those feelings that many skin cancer survivors experience – insecurity in their appearance. After all, they’re alive – isn’t that what matters? The reality is a lot more complex.
But for those who don’t have skin cancer, the services extend the same benefits: a place for skin health and appearance in one single location.
“I want to bring to people what is otherwise really hard to access if you don’t know where to go,” says Dr Kath.
“Our clinic brings everything together under one roof- everything that I would personally want as a patient. It’s about making everything accessible. That’s what I want to do.”
The medical team started with Registered Nurse Sophie. With almost a decade of experience in dermal and cosmetic conditions, Sophie has been a huge part of the team since the doors at SkinWiseClinics opened. Dr Kath is also delighted to announce further expansion, with the addition of Dermal Clinicians Barbara and Lina to the team.
Lina, Sophie and Barbara – three members of the SkinWiseClinics team.
Dr Kath is thrilled that Barbara and Lina will be helping SkinWiseClinics patients feel supported, informed and confident throughout their skin journey.
“Lina and Barbara are our laser and cosmeceutical skin gurus. They have extensive experience, and patients know that any time there’s a condition that may need medical intervention, prescription or compounded medication, I am always there.”
Dr Janis Sauve is yet another essential part of this medical team and has now opened her books to new patients.
As a specialist General Practitioner and senior lecturer at ANU Medical School, she’s passionate about skin cancer medicine, with a background that includes years of training at The Townsville Hospital and The Canberra Hospital as well as with the Skin Cancer College of Australasia (SCCA) and fellow skin cancer specialists.
Dr Janis Sauve has now opened her books to new patients.
She says that SkinWiseClinics’s services “complete the circle” when it comes to patients’ skin, health, and goals.
“We do our own biopsies, our own excisions. We have a modern theatre at the end of the hallway – it’s a one-stop shop,” she explains.
“We take the time to listen, to really explain, and to provide the highest standard of care with regard to skin in general, whether that’s cosmetics or skin cancer.”
Dr Janis emphasises that SkinWiseClinics patients can expect not only expert care but also a “down-to-earth approach” where clinicians get to know the person, not just the patient. Dr Janis deeply prides herself on taking the time to truly understand the people who walk through the door.
“We don’t rush anything. We are not strapped for time like many GP clinics are. We take the time, we do everything in-house, and we are very down to earth,” she says.
“We really tailor our treatments to each individual, which is one of the hallmarks of our gold standard practice.”
Another thing that sets them apart? Dr Kath says that if you have an urgent skin cancer concern, there’s no six-month waiting list – the team at SkinWiseClinics will book you in as soon as possible.
“It can be a very stressful experience for some people,” says Dr Kath.
“You come in, meet a stranger, then you’re asked to undress to your underwear, and then you might get told you have cancer. The fact that anyone gets a skin check at all is a miracle!”
This is something I can attest to. Since that first diagnosis, my mum has had another two melanomas surgically removed, along with multiple basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas all over her body.
In 2020, I had my own skin cancer scare when I had a pre-cancerous freckle removed from my stomach. The scar is still there – a small white line that reminds me daily that cancer doesn’t discriminate.
Over the last 11 years I’ve watched my mum’s emotional battle with skin cancer. And what SkinWiseClinics offers is something I genuinely wish she had access to during that first, second and third surgery – a place she could go that sees her as a whole person, rather than just a body.
“I don’t think there’s anybody that offers quite what we have here. I like to think we offer a truly unique service… Like I said, I like to fix things,” Dr Kath says, with a little shrug.
You can find SkinWiseClinics at Unit 1, 43 Heard Street in Mawson. Find out more at skinwiseclinics.com.au.
Editor’s note: This is a sponsored editorial, but the author’s personal story and opinions remain her own.
