Skin Check

How to complete Skin Check

A full-body skin exam is one of the few cancer screenings that takes fifteen minutes, involves no needles, and can catch melanoma while it is still nearly always curable. Most people cannot see their own scalp, back, or the soles of their feet, which are exactly where dangerous moles like to hide.

1. Book a full-body skin exam with a dermatologist; use those exact words so you get the right appointment slot, not a quick consult about one spot.
2. Before you go, photograph any moles you are unsure about and note ones that are new, growing, itching, or bleeding. Bring the list.
3. Skip makeup and nail polish that day; melanoma can appear on the face and under nails.
4. At the exam, mention any family history of skin cancer and bad sunburns from childhood, since both change your risk profile.
5. Ask two questions before leaving: what is my risk level, and when should I come back.

Tips

• Learn the ABCDE rule (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolving) so you can self-monitor between visits.
• Long waitlist? Ask to be called for cancellations, or check whether the clinic offers photo-based teledermatology triage.
• If anything is biopsied, always follow up for the pathology result. No news is not good news.

What counts as done

You have had a head-to-toe exam by a dermatologist and know your recheck date.