Total Body Skin Exam
A total body skin exam helps to identify spots of concern that could indicate symptoms of skin cancer. A pre-existing mole, birthmark, or other suspicious spots that change in shape, color, size, or texture are what a dermatologist pays particular attention to during a total body skin exam.
Skin Cancer is the most common cancer in the United States with 1 in 5 Americans developing it in their lifetime. If detected early, before spreading to lymph nodes or other organs, the average overall survival rate is 98%. It may be difficult for you to tell which moles, brown spots, or growths on your skin are harmless and which need to be examined by a dermatologist, making it imperative that you are proactive about having your skin exam annually, especially in our Southern region of Sarasota.
A skin exam is quick and painless and typically only takes 10-15 minutes. Your first visit will take a bit longer as your dermatologist will ask about your medical history and talk about your skin cancer risks. The ABCDEs of melanoma offer a guide to warning signs of pigmented spots and address when you should come to see a dermatologist.
- Asymmetry – If the halves of the mole don’t match.
- Border – If the borders around the mole are uneven.
- Color – If the mole has a variety of colors or changes colors.
- Diameter – If the mole grows in size or is larger than a pencil eraser.
- Evolving – If the mole changes in size, shape, color, or texture, as well as cause any new symptoms such as bleeding, itching, or crusting.
During your total body skin exam, your provider will do a complete examination of your skin, from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet. The provider may use a dermatoscope (magnification tool) to look at the moles, brown spots, or lesions on your skin. Take note of any spots of concern that you may have prior to your appointment and share them with your provider and be sure to remove all makeup and nail polish for a complete evaluation.
If a suspicious lesion is detected during a total body skin exam, a biopsy may be taken and examined to check for any cancer cells. Should the sample show cancer cells, your treatment options will be discussed with you in detail.
THERE ARE 3 MAIN TYPES OF SKIN CANCER THAT CAN BE DETECTED:
Basal Cell Carcinoma – This is the most common type of skin cancer. Typically, BCC is not life-threatening, grows slowly, and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. However, treatment is still important because it can be disfiguring and in rare cases, spread.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma – SCC can develop from a pre-cancerous skin growth and can be found throughout the body. On the skin, squamous cell carcinoma is typically found in sun-exposed areas and can spread to other parts of the body, if not treated.
Melanoma – Known as the “most serious skin cancer” because there are not many good treatment options once it spreads. Surveillance and early detection are very important in the fight against melanoma. If not detected early, melanoma can spread from the skin to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph nodes.
https://www.aad.org/media/stats-skin-cancer
