Skin Cancer Screening

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. It is highly treatable when detected early. The most common forms of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. There are also a number of less common forms of skin cancer.

ColumbiaDoctors Dermatology is dedicated to the early and accurate detection of all types of skin cancer. We encourage regular skin cancer screenings for all our patients, especially those with a higher risk of developing some form of the disease, such as people with:

• Fair skin
• Many moles or abnormal moles
• A family history of skin cancer
• A history of multiple severe sunburns
• Excessive exposure to sunlight or artificial tanning lamps

When you visit your dermatologist for a regular skin screening, you will be given a full-body examination. Your dermatologist may use a dermatoscope, which is a hand-held device with a strong light that magnifies and allows dermatologists to look at deeper layers of skin. If any suspicious lesions are found, you will be scheduled for removal or sampling (biopsy) of the lesion, and the sample will be sent to a lab for analysis. A dermatopathologist will read and analyze the sample and your dermatologist will contact you with the results. If treatment is necessary, you and your dermatologist will discuss all of the treatment options and develop a plan that works best for your specific needs.

Free Skin Cancer Screenings at ColumbiaDoctors

In collaboration with the American Academy of Dermatology, ColumbiaDoctors offers free skin cancer screenings by board-certified dermatologists. Each screening takes about 10 minutes. This is a rapid screening for skin cancer and should not replace or be a substitute for an annual examination by your dermatologist. These screenings are offered each year on designated days only during the month of May.