Skin Cancer Screening
A skin cancer screening is a quick, full-body visual exam that checks your skin from head to toe for early signs of skin cancer. Because skin cancer is far easier to treat when it is caught early — and because it can take years to develop after significant sun exposure — a routine screening is one of the simplest ways to protect your skin. If you had excessive sunburns as a child or teenager, or you have other risk factors, regular screening matters even more.
Skin cancer can occur anywhere on the body; therefore, a full body skin cancer screen is recommended. A skin cancer screening by Dr. Liana Abramova, which consists of a direct visual examination of the skin from head to toe can help assess your risk for skin cancer and identify any suspicious areas.
A full body skin exam should be conducted at least once a year or even in shorter intervals if there is a past history of multiple skin cancer or significant exposure to UV radiation (from sun rays, tanning beds, or radiation therapy). A full body skin exam usually lasts about 10 minutes, but individuals who have many moles or who have a personal or family history of skin cancer may have screenings that last a bit longer.
When a suspicious mole or growth (lesion) is discovered during the screen, the dermatologist will discuss appropriate treatment plan with you, which may include close monitoring, biopsy, or potential surgical removal of the lesion. When a biopsy is conducted, our dermatologist will acquire a specimen which may contain a part of the lesion or the whole lesion. This specimen will be sent to a dermatopathology lab where it is examined under a microscope to see if cancer is present. Once the skin cancer screening is completed and diagnosis has been made, together we can create a customized treatment and prevention plan for you.
Concerned about this condition? Our board-certified dermatologists can evaluate your skin and build a treatment plan suited to you.