A skin cancer screening is a full-body visual exam performed by a dermatologist or physician assistant, typically 15 to 20 minutes long. You’ll change into a gown so your provider can check you head to toe, including your scalp, palms, soles, and back, the spots most people never think to look at themselves. If something looks suspicious, it can usually be biopsied the same visit. High Valley Dermatology’s team includes 4 physicians, 2 of them fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons, so if a biopsy comes back as skin cancer, treatment stays with the same providers who found it.
Why Screening Catches What Self-Checks Miss
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and most people who have it don’t know until a provider points it out. It doesn’t only show up on skin that’s seen regular sun. It can develop on the scalp, between the toes, or anywhere else on the body a mirror doesn’t easily reach.
High Valley Dermatology’s providers are trained to catch exactly that: the mole that’s changed slightly since last year, the spot on the scalp nobody’s looked at, the mark on the sole of the foot that’s easy to write off. That’s the point of a screening. It’s a second, trained set of eyes on the parts of your body you can’t fully monitor yourself.
Before Your Appointment
A little preparation makes the exam faster and more accurate.
- Skip makeup, self-tanner, and nail polish the day of your visit. They cover skin your provider needs to see clearly.
- Wear something easy to change out of. You’ll be given a gown for the exam.
- Note any spots that are new, itchy, bleeding, or changing in size, shape, or color, and bring them up right away, even if they seem minor.
- If you’d like a refresher on what to look for between visits, we’ve written a full guide to performing a skin self-exam at home
What Happens During the Exam
- Check-in and history. A quick health history, including sun exposure, family history of skin cancer, and any spots you’ve noticed on your own.
- The gown. The exam covers your entire body, not just the parts that see sun. Scalp, ears, back, soles of your feet, and skin normally covered by clothing are all part of a thorough screening.
- The exam itself. Your provider works through your skin methodically, often with a dermatoscope, a lighted magnifying tool that shows mole structure beneath the surface. No machines, no needles, nothing invasive at this stage.
- Anything suspicious gets flagged and explained. If a spot stands out, your provider will tell you what they’re seeing, why it stood out, and what happens next, on the spot.
- Biopsy, if needed. A quick in-office procedure done under local anesthetic. Most patients describe it as pressure, not pain. The sample goes to a lab for diagnosis.
- Results and next steps. If it comes back as skin cancer, you don’t start over with a new provider elsewhere. High Valley Dermatology’s Mohs surgeons can move straight into treatment planning with you.
A routine screening runs about 15 to 20 minutes. Add time if a biopsy is part of the visit.
How Often You Actually Need One
Most adults at average risk should plan on an annual skin check, paired with a monthly self-exam at home. A personal or family history of skin cancer, a high mole count, or significant sun exposure over the years are all reasons your provider may recommend checking in more often.
What It Means If Something Is Found
A suspicious spot is not the same thing as a cancer diagnosis. Most biopsied spots turn out to be benign. When something does come back as cancer, though, finding it at a screening instead of later almost always means simpler, less invasive treatment.
This is where being seen by a practice with Mohs surgeons on staff matters. Instead of a referral out to a surgical specialist, often a multi-week wait, treatment planning happens with the same team that found it, without you having to explain your history to someone new.
Frequently Asked Questions About Skin Cancer Screening
About 15 to 20 minutes for a routine visit. Plan for more time if your provider needs to biopsy a spot.
No. The visual exam is painless. If a biopsy is needed, the area is numbed with local anesthetic first, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain.
Once a year for most adults at average risk, more often with a personal or family history of skin cancer, a high mole count, or heavy sun exposure.
Skip makeup, self-tanner, and nail polish, and wear something easy to change out of. Note any spots that are new, changing, or bothering you before your visit.
In most cases, it can be biopsied the same day. Results typically come back within a week or two.
A new growth, a mole changing in size, shape, or color, or a sore that won't heal are all worth a call. The ABCDE rule, asymmetry, border irregularity, color variation, diameter over 6mm, and evolving appearance, is a helpful guide for self-checks between appointments.
Many plans cover an annual skin cancer screening, especially with risk factors present. Call our office, and we can help verify your coverage before your visit.
Ready To Get Checked?
A skin cancer screening takes less time than your lunch break and can catch something years before it becomes a bigger problem. High Valley Dermatology has served Southeast Idaho since 1996, with locations in Idaho Falls, Rigby, and Alpine, WY, and 2 fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons on staff if treatment is ever needed. Schedule your appointment today.