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What Happens During A Skin Check?
Early detection is key for treating skin cancer. In fact, the five-year survivability of melanoma is 99% when treated early. That’s why it’s recommended that you should get a yearly skin check with a board-certified dermatologist. Here is what happens during a skin check at a dermatologist’s office:
- History – Your dermatologist will ask you about your medical history, your family’s medical history, and other factors that may contribute to your risk of getting skin cancer. This includes whether you or any of your family members have ever gotten any forms of skin cancer. Your dermatologist will also ask if you are out in the sun for long periods of time, or how much sunscreen you wear on a daily basis.
- The Actual Test – During the test, you will be asked to remove most of your clothing and change into a medical gown. The dermatologist will thoroughly check your skin from head to toe, including areas like your scalp, buttocks, back, behind your ears, and also between your toes. They will have a magnifying device to check your skin a lot more closely, and will be utilizing different types of bright lighting.
- Biopsy – Your dermatologist may perform a biopsy on one or more suspicious moles or spots they may have found on your body. This means they will remove a part of the mole and send it out for analysis. If the report comes back as skin cancer, they will talk to you about what type it is, and what treatment is necessary for it.
- Questions – After The check is done, your dermatologist will give you this opportunity to ask them questions. It’s imperative that you take advantage of this time to gain as much knowledge as possible and ask as many relevant questions as you can. Remember that they are a resource in everything skin cancer-related.
