Skin Cancer Screening
What is a Skin Cancer Screening?
A Skin Cancer Screening is a 30 minute appointment with a Registered Nurse designed to:
- Detect existing skin conditions that are suspicious for skin cancer.
- Aid in the future detection of potential skin cancers.
- Educate you about skin cancer in general and about your personal skin cancer risks based on the current condition of your skin.
The screening consists of:
- A thorough and careful examination of your entire body by a Registered Nurse to determine if you have any skin growths, lesions, or conditions that fall outside of normal criteria, as defined by the American Cancer Society.
- Photographic and clinical documentation of any areas that are not considered normal plus any normal areas that are candidates for future skin cancers, such as normal moles.
- A review of your skin care history, family history, and questions related to your skin cancer risks.
- Comparing the photographic and clinical documentation from this examination with any prior examinations.
- Educational material related to the signs, symptoms, and prevention of skin cancer. We will advise you about how the current condition of your skin, your personal and family history, and your lifestyle affect your personal skin cancer risks.
It is important to understand that Registered Nurses cannot diagnose skin cancer. If our nurses detect any areas that are suspicious for cancer, we will instruct you to see your dermatologist or primary care physician as soon as possible. With your permission, we can provide your doctor with the photographic and clinical documentation gathered by our nurses, which can greatly assist your doctor in making a diagnosis or determining whether a tissue biopsy is needed. If you do not have a dermatologist, we can provide you with one or more referrals.
What are the benefits?
A Skin Cancer Screening establishes a baseline for your skin that includes photographs of areas that could become cancerous later. Annual examinations allow us to document changes in those areas, which is invaluable in the early detection of skin cancer. Think about it for a moment... if you have a small mole on your back and your doctor asks you if it has changed during the last year, would you be able to answer that question accurately?
Later screenings will build on that baseline to show the extent and timeline of changes to those areas of your skin.
Who should have a Skin Cancer Screening?
Southern Arizona is the skin cancer capitol of the world so anyone with increased skin cancer risk factors should have a regular Skin Cancer Screening. Increased risk factors include:
- Caucasians more than 20 years old with multiple pigmented moles or congenital melanocytic nevi (moles present at birth with a greater likelihood of becoming cancerous).
- Traits that predispose you to developing skin cancer (e.g., many freckles, fair complexion, blond or red hair, a tendency to sunburn, inability to tan, blue eyes classified as sun reactive, skin types I or II on the Fitzpatrick scale).
- A personal history of any type of skin cancer or a family history of melanoma.
- Any severe or blistering childhood sunburn.
- Extensive past sun damage or a job or lifestyle that involves significant sun exposure on a regular basis.
How often should a Skin Cancer Screening be repeated?
We recommend that Skin Cancer Screenings be repeated annually. If you discover a skin condition that worries you, call us for a consultation where you and your skin care nurse can decide if a Skin Cancer Screening should be performed.
The American Cancer Society recommends skin cancer check-ups, including a full body examination, every 3 years for those aged 20-39 and annually after age 40.
Things you should know.
There are no risks associated with a Skin Cancer Screening.
As noted above, you should understand that Registered Nurses cannot diagnose skin cancer but annual Skin Cancer Screenings will aid your doctor in making such a diagnosis if an area suspicious for skin cancer is detected.
How much time is required?
30 minutes.
How much does it cost?
$49. We can send digital copies of photographs and clinical documentation to you or your doctor at no charge. If you need non-digital copies of photographs and clinical documentation, there is a charge of $20.
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