WHAT HAPPENS DURING A SKIN CANCER SCREENING?

During a screening, the mark is biopsied to check for cancer, and a full body skin exam may also be performed at the same time. A biopsy is the removal of a small sample of skin that is used to confirm diagnosis and determine the best course of treatment. Our dermatologists send your biopsy to a dermatopathologist or pathologists who examines the sample under a microscope to render a diagnosis. With this knowledge, your dermatologist can recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.

Skin cancer screenings typically take about an hour to complete. The area in which the biopsy is performed may be closed with sutures and bandaged to heal.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AFTER A SKIN CANCER SCREENING?

Following a skin cancer screening and biopsy, your dermatologist checks any incisions about a week following the procedure. When the results from the biopsy are returned, we schedule a consultation to discuss the results and, if necessary, our recommended course of treatment. If the results are negative, we schedule follow up appointments for full body skin exams to ensure your skin stays cancer free.

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR SKIN CANCER SCREENING?

Yes – you are a good candidate for skin cancer screening especially if you live in Florida. It is imperative to have skin cancer screenings annually or when you are concerned with a specific mark or mole on your skin. If you are concerned about an irregular shaped mark, early detection and removal results in a high cure rate. DO NOT WAIT to be seen if you have a suspicious lesion.

At Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute, the board-certified dermatologists perform skin cancer screenings on people living in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Kendall, FL, as well as nearby cities and elsewhere in the U.S., to detect any suspicious moles or lesions that may contain cancer. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.