Understanding Skin Cancer Screenings

What Is a Skin Cancer Screening?

Skin cancer screening is a physical exam, either by a healthcare professional or performed as a self-check, to identify skin cancer early—when treatment is most effective.

What to Expect During a Skin Cancer Screening

During a full-body skin exam, a dermatologist carefully checks your skin from head to toe, looking for anything unusual. This includes moles or spots that have changed over time, new growths, or areas that look different from the rest of your skin.

They pay special attention to signs that may indicate the most common types of skin cancer. For example:

• Basal cell carcinoma often appears as a pearly bump, a flat, flesh-toned patch, or a sore that keeps coming back.
• Squamous cell carcinoma may show up as a firm red bump, a scaly or crusted patch, or a persistent sore that doesn’t heal.
• Melanoma, the most serious type, tends to look like an irregular, multicolored mole or a dark spot that changes over time or stands out from your other moles.

To get a better view, your dermatologist may use a dermatoscope—a special magnifying tool with a light—to examine suspicious spots more closely. If something looks concerning, they might take a small sample of the skin (a biopsy) and send it to a lab for testing.

Who Should Get Screened?

Skin cancer screening is especially important for people at higher risk. This includes individuals with a personal or family history of skin cancer, fair skin, a history of frequent sunburns or indoor tanning, numerous or atypical moles, or a weakened immune system.

While major guidelines do not currently recommend routine skin cancer screening for everyone, many dermatologists support regular professional skin exams and monthly self-checks—particularly for those with risk factors. If you're unsure about your risk, talk to a dermatologist to determine the best screening plan for you.

How Often Should You Get Screened?

The frequency of skin checks depends on your individual risk. If you're considered high-risk—such as having a history of skin cancer or numerous atypical moles—dermatologists often recommend a full-body exam every 6 to 12 months. For others, the timing may vary based on personal and family history, sun exposure, and other factors. Monthly self-exams at home are a good habit for everyone, with more thorough professional checks as advised by your provider.

How to Check Your Skin: The ABCDEs of Melanoma

When performing a self-exam, keep an eye out for the ABCDE warning signs that could signal melanoma:

• Asymmetry: One half of the spot doesn’t match the other
• Border: Edges appear irregular, jagged, or blurred
• Color: The mole contains multiple colors or shades that are uneven
• Diameter: Larger than 6 millimeters, about the size of a pencil eraser
• Evolving: Any spot that changes in size, shape, color, or begins to bleed, itch, or crust

These changes may not always mean cancer—but they’re worth having checked.

When to See a Dermatologist

Make an appointment if you notice a new mole or spot that looks different from the rest, or if an existing one starts to change. Non-healing sores or lesions that bleed, itch, or crust over should also be evaluated. When it comes to skin cancer, early detection makes all the difference.