Choosing Clearer Skin

Posted on: 8 July 2022

Getting checked for skin cancer on a regular basis is a smart idea because early detection is often key in successfully treating your skin cancer. Regular skin cancer examinations are even more important if you have risk factors for skin cancer, including light hair, skin, and eye color, a large number of moles, or a family history of skin cancer. If this is your first time scheduling a skin cancer examination, here are a few things you can expect:

Your Skin Cancer Check Will Be Quick 

Your dermatologist is trained to quickly and accurately identify suspicious moles or spots by eye. You will be asked to remove your clothes and put on a hospital gown. Then your doctor will examine every area of your body, including your scalp, looking for anything that could potentially be cancerous. Once they have completed the skin cancer check, they will let you know what, if anything, they've found. In most cases, this is a quick, simple exam.

Anything Suspicious May Be Removed for Testing

If your doctor finds any moles or other spots that look suspicious, they will remove them—or a part of them—to send out for testing. They will numb the area first and most likely remove the spot with a scalpel and then bandage it up. This is called a biopsy.

Once your doctor receives the test results from your biopsy, they will call you and explain the findings in detail. If the removed mole is cancerous or pre-cancerous, further treatment will likely be scheduled to ensure the malignant cells do not spread.

You Will Need a Long-Term Plan

Even if nothing suspicious is found during your skin cancer examination, it's important to form a long-term skin cancer prevention plan with your dermatologist. Your doctor will likely want you to come back for skin cancer checks once a year. You will also want to avoid excessive sun exposure, and begin wearing a high-quality sunblock when you are in the sun. Many dermatologist offices even have sunblock for sale.

Finally, it's important to keep an eye on your skin yourself. If you notice any new moles forming, or existing moles changing in shape or size, be sure to schedule an appointment to have them looked at.

While skin cancer can be scary to think about, scheduling a skin cancer examination is the best way to catch potential skin cancer early before it becomes more serious.