One in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime1. Roughly 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed every day. In 2026, the American Cancer Society estimates that about 234,680 new cases of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, will be diagnosed in the United States. This is a 10.6% increase over 2025 projections. The best way to detect and treat skin cancer early is by scheduling an annual skin examination with your dermatologist. When caught early, the five-year survival rate for melanoma is over 99%.
A skin exam may seem intimidating if you don’t know what to expect. Board-certified Mathew Loesch, DO, PhD, FAAD, shares tips on how to prepare for a skin exam, what to expect during your appointment, and next steps.
Scheduling your full skin exam
If you need or want a full skin check by a dermatologist, reach out to your preferred location to schedule an appointment. If you need a referral from your primary care physician, be sure that they place an order before scheduling your dermatology appointment. When scheduling your exam, clarify whether your appointment is for a full skin examination or a full skin check.
Preparing for your exam
Before your appointment, thoroughly examine your skin and write down any specific spots or concerns you want to discuss. Use the ABCDE Method and Ugly Duckling techniques to identify which spots or areas you should focus on during your in-office exam.
The ABCDEs of melanoma stand for:
- A — Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn’t match the other.
- B — Border: Edges are irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined.
- C — Color: The color varies from one area to another. It may include shades of brown, black, tan, and sometimes red, white, or blue.
- D — Diameter: Larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser). Melanomas can be smaller, though.
- E — Evolving: Any change in size, shape, color, or elevation counts. New symptoms such as itching, bleeding, or crusting should also be noted.
The Ugly Duckling sign reminds you to flag any mole that simply looks different from your others, even if it doesn’t tick every ABCDE box.
Pay particular attention to any areas that have changed, itched, have a burning sensation, bled for no reason, or have not healed. A great way to keep track of a mole’s appearance is to take photos of the same spot over time — many people now use smartphone apps or the AAD’s free downloadable Body Mole Map to track changes month over month. These photos are great to share with your dermatologist at your appointment.
Another way to prepare for your appointment is to make a note of any past skin conditions, the treatments performed, and your family history of skin cancer. Before arriving at your appointment, it is recommended that you remove all makeup and nail polish. This will help our dermatologists fully examine your skin.
During your exam
At the exam, you will be asked to put on a medical gown. When you are ready, your dermatologist will enter and introduce themselves. Discuss previous skin conditions and point out areas you want checked more closely. Also, mention if you have a family history of skin cancer.
Your dermatologist will begin the exam and check all areas of your skin and hair. This includes your scalp, between fingers and toes, the soles of your feet, and the nail beds. Melanoma can hide in these places. During the exam, a dermatoscope, a magnifying device with polarized light, may be used to better observe suspicious spots. Some practices offer total-body photography or AI-assisted mole mapping for high-risk patients. These methods allow precise tracking of changes between visits.
A suspicious spot
If your dermatologist is suspicious about a spot on your skin, they may perform a skin biopsy to test for a certain skin condition or disease. A dermatopathologist, a physician trained in skin pathology, will examine the mole under a microscope to determine if it is benign or cancerous.
To perform a biopsy, your dermatologist will numb the area and remove a small sample using either a shave or punch technique. A shave biopsy takes a thin disk of tissue for superficial lesions, while a punch biopsy collects a deeper sample.
Other times, a dermatologist might choose to watch and make note of the suspicious spot and re-examine for changes at your next skin check.
Next steps
If a biopsy was performed, healing will depend on the size and depth of the biopsy, where it was located, and other medical conditions you may have. In general, most biopsy sites heal within two to three weeks. Biopsies are processed and read in one to two weeks, and your dermatologist or a nurse will contact you with the results.
If the spot was benign, no follow-up is needed until your next annual skin exam. If it was abnormal, your dermatologist or a nurse will contact you to discuss the next steps after reviewing the pathology report. Today, even advanced melanomas have far more treatment options than they did a decade ago. These include immunotherapy and FDA-approved tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy. Each option works better the earlier the cancer is found.
If you have any skin concerns or are due for your annual full-body skin exam, schedule an appointment online with a dermatologist near you or by calling your preferred location.
Annual full body skin exams are now covered as a preventative exam by most commercial insurance companies. Cost varies based on your insurance coverage.*
*Medicare and Medicaid are excluded.
1Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics (2021, January 13). In Skin Cancer Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.skincancer.org/ski…
Health Topics:
-
One of the great opportunities and privileges in life is to employ one’s passion and talent to benefit others and I take that mindset into every patient encounter. Knowing that every patient is unique, I believe it is critical to take the time to get to know, listen, and discuss with each patient, so we can work together actively to best address and meet their needs and goals.
