Is It Time for Your Skin Cancer Screening?
With one in five Americans developing skin cancer by the age of 70, booking a dermatologist skin screening is one of the simplest and best ways to take charge of your health. The providers at Skin Center of South Miami are big advocates for skin cancer screenings for a good reason: with early detection, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is 99 percent.
If you think it might be time for your skin cancer screening, read on or schedule your appointment at 305-740-6181.
What Happens During a Skin Cancer Screening?
During your skin cancer screening, one of our providers will conduct a head-to-toe examination and make a note of any marks or lesions. If you have a specific skin concern, like a growing or itchy mole, our dermatologists can take a closer look with a dermatoscope device. We can order a biopsy to test for cancer if we find anything unusual. Skin biopsies typically take only a few minutes under local anesthesia and heal in one to two weeks.
How Often Should You Get a Skin Cancer Screening?
How often you should get a skin cancer screening depends on your unique risk factors. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends an annual exam for adults.
You might require more frequent skin cancer screenings if you have the following risk factors:
- You have fair skin, freckles, light-colored eyes, and blonde or red hair.
- You have more than 50 moles.
- You got one or more blistering sunburns in childhood.
- You have a family or personal history of skin cancer.
While it can seem scary if you have multiple risk factors, it’s important to remember that the best patient outcomes come from early detection.
Schedule Your South Miami Skin Cancer Screening
Getting your first screening can cause a little anxiety, but a quick annual appointment is one of the most effective ways to detect and prevent skin cancer. At the Skin Center of South Miami, our warm and welcoming providers will help you understand your unique risk factors and create a skin care plan to promote a healthy complexion for life. Call 305-740-6181 to schedule your skin cancer screening with a board-certified dermatologist in South Miami, Florida.