If you have noticed a new mole or a change to an existing one, you might be considering booking a skin check so a doctor can look it over.

Cosmetic surgery and skin clinics that treat skin cancer can look over any moles that you are concerned about through a skin cancer screening service. This screening aims to identify and diagnose any concerning areas that you feel are at risk of developing into skin cancer.

Here’s what to expect at your skin cancer screening appointment.

1. Initial consultation and discussion

When you arrive for your skin cancer screening appointment, your doctor will first ask you to describe any symptoms or troubling areas on your body.

They may also ask you about any work or lifestyle factors, such as working outside, regularly using sunbeds and smoking to assess if you are at higher risk of skin cancer.

This is to get a clearer idea of the nature of your concerns before proceeding with the examination and to ensure that the assessment is as thorough as possible.

2. Skin examination

After the consultation, your doctor will perform a comprehensive assessment of the moles that are of particular concern.

However, because in the early stages of skin cancer, it is not always easy to detect any visible symptoms, your doctor will look over all of your skin with a dermatoscope.

If your doctor feels it is necessary, they will use some minor operating apparatus to perform a biopsy there and then. A biopsy is a highly accurate way of delving deeper into the skin to determine any cancerous cells on your body.

3. Discussion

After your physical assessment, your doctor will go over the results and explain any issues they may have found.

They will also discuss the options available, such as preventative mole removal. Or if they have detected anything abnormal, they will discuss further treatment options with you.

4. Further education of risk factors

While skin clinics remain the best and most accurate way to detect the early signs of skin cancer, your doctor will go through ways for you to check your skin at home and educate you on any early warning signs to look out for.

Your doctor will also discuss any lifestyle choices with you and remind you of the ways that you can better protect your skin and other ways you can help better prevent developing skin cancer.

5. Follow up

Depending on your results during the screening, your lifestyle and any other risk factors, your doctor may recommend you pop back annually for a skin cancer screening.

This is to better prevent any further changes or developments to your skin from being undetected at an early stage.

At Skin Scar, we recommend you come in for a skin cancer screening as soon as you notice any new moles or visible changes to pre-existing ones.

Wrapping up

It isn’t always easy to spot the signs of skin cancer yourself at home. Skin cancer screening is therefore the best and most accurate way to check for the critical early stages of the disease.

You can book your skin check with us at Skin Scar clinic now.