Annual Skin Examinations
Annual skin examinations are an important tool for cancer screening and are recommended for all patients. During these screenings, any suspicious growths, moles, or lesions are detected and existing growths are monitored. Annual screenings detect any abnormalities at their earliest stages, when they are most treatable.
During a full-body skin exam, the doctor examines the skin over the entire body, including the scalp. A bright light and magnifying glass may be used to see the skin more clearly and to analyze anything suspicious. To classify a mole, the doctor will evaluate its color, size, border and any asymmetries. If any suspicious lesions are discovered, additional testing and possibly a biopsy may be performed.
Annual skin examinations are a quick and painless preventive measure for skin cancer, as well as many other dermatological conditions. Patients who are at high risk for skin cancer or who have had previous skin cancers are typically advised to undergo skin examinations with greater frequency than other patients.
Additional Resources
- MedlinePlus
- National Institutes of Health
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
- U.S. National Library of Medicine
- WebMD
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