Skin Checks & Skin Cancer Treatment in Stirling, Adelaide Hills
Stirling Skin Cancer Clinic provides comprehensive skin checks, mole monitoring and skin cancer treatment in Stirling, Adelaide Hills.
Dr James Ashby is an experienced GP with a particular interest in skin cancer medicine and surgery, providing assessment, diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, including biopsies and surgical excisions.
Peace of mind starts with a skin check.
Our Services
Full Skin Checks
We recommend annual skin checks for most adults, with 6-monthly reviews for patients at higher risk of skin cancer.
Comprehensive skin checks using dermoscopy are performed to assess moles, freckles, and other skin lesions for early signs of melanoma and other skin cancers.
If required, biopsies can often be performed during the same appointment without an additional consultation fee, helping streamline diagnosis and treatment planning.
Skin Cancer Excisions
Many skin cancers can be completely removed with a simple surgical procedure performed under local anaesthetic. We perform excisions for melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and other suspicious lesions with careful attention to both complete removal and best possible cosmetic outcome.
Mole Monitoring
Not every mole needs to be removed. Many can be safely monitored over time using detailed dermoscopic examination and clinical photography to detect even subtle changes. Mole monitoring is particularly valuable for people with numerous moles, a personal or family history of melanoma, or lesions that appear unusual but do not require immediate biopsy. By comparing images over time, we can identify early signs of skin cancer while avoiding unnecessary procedures, providing peace of mind and supporting the earliest possible detection of melanoma.
Spot Checks
Concerned about a new or changing spot? A spot check focuses on one area or a small number of lesions that are causing concern. It’s ideal if you’ve noticed a mole changing, a sore that wont heal, or a new lump or growth and you’re between full skin checks.
Biopsies
When a lesion requires further investigation, a biopsy can often be performed during the same visit. A small sample - or sometimes the entire lesion - is removed under local anaesthetic and sent to a specialist pathology laboratory for diagnosis, often without the need for any stitches.
Non-surgical treatments
Not all skin lesions require surgery. For selected benign, pre-cancerous, and superficial skin cancers, treatments such as cryotherapy and prescription topical therapies can provide effective management with minimal disruption to daily life. Following a thorough assessment, an individualised treatment plan is recommended to achieve the best possible clinical and cosmetic outcome.
About Us
Located in Stirling in the Adelaide Hills, Stirling Skin Cancer Clinic provides dedicated skin cancer assessment and treatment for patients from Stirling and surrounding Adelaide Hills Communities.
Dr James Ashby
General Practitioner | B Health Sci (Hons), MD, FRACGP-RG
Skin cancer medicine and surgery
Dr James Ashby is a GP and fellow of the Royal College of Australian General Practitioners with additional qualification as a Rural Generalist. He established Stirling Skin Cancer Clinic in 2026 to provide comprehensive skin checks, skin cancer diagnosis and treatment to his patients in Stirling and the wider Adelaide Hills. Dr Ashby has worked with patients across metropolitan, rural, and remote South Australia, developing broad expertise in the diagnosis and management of skin cancers.
After completing his medical degree in Adelaide and junior doctor training at Flinders Medical Centre, Dr Ashby spent years working as a rural GP in Port Lincoln while also providing locum services to clinics and hospitals throughout regional and remote communities across the state. He also spends time working at a specialist skin cancer clinic in Gawler.
Dr Ashby has a particular interest in skin cancer medicine and surgery, with experience in comprehensive skin checks, early detection of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, surgical excisions, flap and graft repairs, and non-surgical treatment options for skin cancers and sun-damaged skin. He is passionate about delivering thorough, high-quality care and helping patients feel comfortable and informed throughout their treatment journey.
Outside of medicine, Dr Ashby enjoys cooking, gardening, tinkering with old cars and spending time with his family.
Fees
The below costs reflect the full out of pocket cost to the patient after Medicare rebates.
Full skin check……………………………….…….$160
Spot Check……………………………………..……$80
Review (within 3 months)………….………$80
Biopsy appointment.…………………….…….$100
Skin cancer excision…………………………….$100 - $500 out of pocket - dependent on type of cancer, site and closure method
If time permits biopsies of suspicious lesions may be performed during a full skin check or spot check appointment at no extra charge.
Pension card holders may be eligible for a 25% discounted rate
Variations
Costs can vary due to time and equipment required. Where possible the above prices apply, however at times there may be some alteration required.
Upfront cost inclusive of Medicare rebates
Patients are generally required to pay the full consultation or procedure fee on the day of their appointment. Any applicable Medicare rebate can then be claimed directly from Medicare.
For skin cancer excisions, particularly those requiring a skin graft or flap repair, Medicare rebates may be substantial. However, the full fee is usually payable upfront, with the rebate reimbursed to you after treatment.
Cancellation policy
We understand that plans can change and appreciate as much notice as possible if you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment. Cancellations made within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment time, or failure to attend, will incur a $75 cancellation fee. This policy helps us manage appointment availability and allows us the opportunity to offer appointments to other patients requiring timely skin cancer assessment and treatment.
Bulk billing
Stirling Skin Cancer Clinic is a private billing practice and does not routinely offer bulk billing. In certain circumstances, where frequent follow-up appointments are required, the doctor may choose to waive the out-of-pocket fee and bulk bill the consultation at their discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Our services include comprehensive skin checks, mole surveillance, skin biopsies, skin cancer surgery, flap and graft reconstruction, and ongoing management of melanoma and other skin cancers.
View our Our Services page for more information about the treatments and procedures we offer.
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Getting started is simple. Contact our clinic by phone to schedule an appointment at a time that suits you. Whether you require a routine skin check, assessment of a concerning lesion, or treatment for a diagnosed skin cancer, our team will guide you through the process.
Visit our Contact Us page for our contact details including phone and email.
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Biopsy results are typically available within 1–2 weeks. Following a biopsy, a telephone appointment will usually be arranged to discuss the results and any recommended next steps.
After a skin cancer excision, results are generally reviewed at your follow-up appointment when sutures are removed, usually 1–2 weeks after the procedure.
If further treatment is required, such as additional surgery for a skin cancer, we will discuss your results in detail and arrange an appointment to plan the next stage of management.
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Keep the area clean and covered with a dressing for the first few days. After showering, gently pat the site dry Avoid picking at the wound and protect the area from excessive friction or sun exposure while it heals.
Most shave biopsy sites heal within 2–4 weeks. If you experience increasing redness, swelling, pain, or discharge, please contact the clinic.
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Wound care instructions can vary depending on the location of the excision and the type of closure performed. Specific instructions will be provided after your procedure.
In general, keep the wound clean and dry, avoid strenuous activity that may place tension on the stitches, and leave dressings in place as directed. Monitor the area for increasing redness, swelling, pain, or discharge, and contact the clinic if you have any concerns.
A follow-up appointment will usually be arranged for wound review and suture removal where required.
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The out-of-pocket fee for a standard skin check is $120 for pensioners and $160 for other patients. For detailed information about consultation fees, Medicare rebates, and procedure costs, please refer to our Fees page.
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Stirling Skin Cancer Clinic is a private billing practice and does not routinely offer bulk billing. In certain circumstances, where frequent follow-up appointments are required, the doctor may choose to waive the out-of-pocket fee and bulk bill the consultation at their discretion.
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As part of our commitment to accessible care, Stirling Skin Cancer Clinic offers reduced consultation fees for Pension Card holders. Please note that discounted rates do not apply to other concession card types.
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Cancellations made within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment time, or failure to attend, will incur a $75 cancellation fee. See our cancellation policy above in the “Fees” section.