Skin Cancer Screenings
Early Detection Saves Lives
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, but when detected early, many forms are highly treatable. Regular skin checks are one of the most important steps you can take to protect your long-term health and catch concerning changes before they progress.
At SkinHappy, our approach to skin cancer screening goes beyond a quick visual exam. We provide comprehensive, personalized evaluations designed to identify suspicious lesions, assess individual risk factors, and educate patients on long-term prevention and monitoring.
Whether you have a personal or family history of skin cancer, significant sun exposure, changing moles, or simply want peace of mind, routine skin examinations are an essential part of maintaining healthy skin at every age.
What Is a Full-Body Skin Check?
A full-body skin check is a thorough examination of the skin performed by a dermatologist to evaluate moles, freckles, sun spots, and other lesions for signs of skin cancer or precancerous changes.
During your visit, we assess:
- Moles and pigmented lesions
- New or changing growths
- Areas of chronic sun damage
- Precancerous lesions such as actinic keratoses
- Concerning symptoms such as bleeding, itching, tenderness, or non-healing spots
We also evaluate your individual risk profile, including:
- Personal or family history of skin cancer
- History of blistering sunburns
- Tanning bed exposure
- Skin type and sun sensitivity
- Immune status and medical history
- Occupational or recreational sun exposure
Signs You Should Schedule a Skin Check
You should consider scheduling a skin examination if you notice:
- A mole that is changing in size, shape, or color
- A spot that bleeds, crusts, or does not heal
- New growths appearing suddenly
- Persistent rough or scaly patches
- Dark streaks under nails
- A lesion that looks different from your other moles (“ugly duckling” sign)
Even without visible concerns, annual screenings are recommended for adults, especially those with increased sun exposure or higher skin cancer risk.
Skin Cancer Screening FAQs
For many adults, annual skin examinations are recommended. Patients with a history of skin cancer, atypical moles, significant sun exposure, or other risk factors may benefit from more frequent screenings.
Your dermatologist will examine the skin from head to toe, evaluating moles, spots, and lesions for concerning features. If an area requires further evaluation, a biopsy may be recommended.
No. A skin examination itself is non-invasive and painless. If a biopsy is needed, the area is numbed beforehand to minimize discomfort.
Yes, particularly for children and teens with fair skin, frequent sun exposure, a family history of melanoma, or many moles. Skin cancer awareness and prevention are important at every age.
Yes. While sun exposure is a major risk factor, skin cancer can also develop in areas that receive little sun exposure, including the scalp, nails, palms, soles, and trunk.
We evaluate for all major forms of skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and precancerous lesions such as actinic keratoses.
While consistent daily sun protection does significantly reduce cumulative UV damage and lowers skin cancer risk over time, no sunscreen provides 100% protection against UV rays. It's still important to get your skin checked regularly.
