If you have spent a lot of time in the sun, you should ask your doctor if you should undergo regular screening for skin cancer.

These eye examinations performed by a primary care or a skin care doctor (dermatologist) can help find skin that is definitely cancerous or can change overnight. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, but it is important because it is one of the easiest to treat if detected early.

Before booking

You should do a self-examination before booking to identify what seems strange to you.

Check every part of your skin, including the scalp, behind the ears, under the arms, and buttocks. Full-length mirrors and hand-held mirrors help you see hard-to-reach places. It is recommended that you write down the following moles.

  •  New changes over time
  •  Itching
  •  Bleeding

What happens to comprehensive skin cancer screening? If the doctor finds that the mole looks abnormal, the screening process usually takes 10 minutes or more. You take off all your clothes and put on a health check gown. Your doctor will ask you if there are moles that affect you. Then inspect the face, chest, arms, back, legs, and every corner of the body in a discreet area between the toes and soles, such as the scalp.

What Doctors Are Looking for

During skin cancer screening, doctors run checks on all the elements and features of each mole. This can all be a sign of skin cancer:

  •  Asymmetry: Different shapes on both sides
  •  Irregular edges: Non-uniform or translucent edges
  •  Colors: Various shades of brown, black, or tan
  •  Diameter: 1 in or more
  •  Evolution: The changes that may occur over time

Doctors also check for changes in the skin caused by photokeratitis, sun damage. For cancer.

The Biopsy of the Mole

Visual examination of the skin detects only lesions that may be cancerous. Your doctor certainly can’t tell you that you have it just by looking and thus it is usually important to go skin deep, literally.

The only way to diagnose an illness is to have a test called a biopsy. If the doctor thinks there is a problem with the mole, he or she will give you a local anesthetic, then shave as much of the mole as possible.

During this phase you will not feel any pain, you should only feel slight pressure or a pulling sensation. They send a sample of your mole to a lab, where a pathologist examines cancer cells under a microscope. This requires a bit of waiting for the results to come back and during this time it is usually common for nervousness and anxiety to set in but it is important to remain positive.

If skin cancer is shown in the biopsy, your doctor will tell you the next steps and treatments that are right for you. It can be difficult to distinguish between a noncancerous and a noncancerous sample, so you’re better off getting a second opinion.

Now, you may ask, “how often should I be examined for skin cancer?” A lot of experts actually disagree on this question. There are many medical personnel and groups who would tell you should only do a screening. if you are concerned about a suspicious looking mole. While some say you should get checked if you are at risk of getting melanoma, which is considered to be a deadly skin cancer. Others will often recommend that you do the screenings annually if you have a high chance of getting skin cancer. Make sure you get checked for skin cancer. Contact your doctor and get their opinion on the matter and remember it is never disrespectful to get a second opinion.