What Doctor Checks For Skin Cancer

Testing For Gene Changes

For some people with melanoma, biopsy samples may be tested to see if the cells have mutations in certain genes, such as the BRAF gene. About half of melanomas have BRAF mutations. Some drugs used to treat advanced melanomas are only likely to work if the cells have BRAF mutations , so this test is important in helping to determine treatment options. Tests for changes in other genes, such as C-KIT, might be done as well.

A newer lab test known as looks at certain gene expression patterns in melanoma cells to help show if early-stage melanomas are likely to spread. This might be used to help determine treatment options. To learn more, see Whats New in Melanoma Skin Cancer Research?

If You Find Something Suspicious On Your Skin

If youre looking at your skin and see anything that concerns you, especially something that has just appeared or has changed recently, be sure to have it checked by a doctor.

If the doctor suspects you might have skin cancer, he or she will do exams and tests to find out. If you cant see the doctor right away, you might want to take good close-up photos of the area so your doctor can see if the area is changing when you do get an appointment.

Usually the doctors first step is to ask about your symptoms, such as when the mark first appeared, if it has changed in appearance, and if its painful, itchy, or bleeding. You might also be asked about past exposures to causes of skin cancer and if you or anyone in your family has had skin cancer. The doctor will then examine your skin, noting the size, shape, color, and texture of the area in question, and if it is bleeding, oozing, or crusting. The rest of your body may be checked for moles and other spots that could be related to skin cancer.

If you’re being seen by your primary doctor and skin cancer is suspected, you may be referred to a dermatologist, a doctor who specializes in skin diseases, who might use special tools to look at the area more closely.

Who Should Have A Skin Check

You should consider having a skin check if you are at a higher risk of skin cancer. This would involve you having a yearly check with a doctor and 3-monthly self-examination. This is recommended for people with the following:

A skin check is recommended for people with the following:

• Red hair

• Type 1 skin and aged more than 45

• Type 2 skin and aged more than 65

• Family history of melanoma in a first-degree relative in patients aged more than 15 years

• More than 100 naevi

• Past history of melanoma

• Past history of non-melanoma skin cancer or more than 20 solar keratoses . Australian Family Physician July 2012, Volume 41, No 7, Pages 464-469

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Skin Cancer Diagnosis Always Requires A Skin Biopsy

When you see a dermatologist because youve found a spot that might be skin cancer, your dermatologist will examine the spot.

If the spot looks like it could be a skin cancer, your dermatologist will remove it all or part of it. This can easily be done during your appointment. The procedure that your dermatologist uses to remove the spot is called a skin biopsy.

Having a skin biopsy is essential. Its the only way to know whether you have skin cancer. Theres no other way to know for sure.

What your dermatologist removes will be looked at under a microscope. The doctor who examines the removed skin will look for cancer cells. If cancer cells are found, your biopsy report will tell you what type of skin cancer cells were found. When cancer cells arent found, your biopsy report will explain what was seen under the microscope.

How To Choose The Best Healthcare Team

Your primary care doctor or dermatologist can refer you to specialists and help you assemble a strong healthcare team.

Its important to research each experts credentials. For example, you might want to confirm that the professionals you see dont have a history of malpractice claims or disciplinary actions. Also, consider the doctors experience with treating your type of cancer.

Board certification is another factor to take into account. If doctors are board-certified, it means they have the training, skills, and experience to practice in their specific field.

You can also find out where the expert attended medical school and underwent training. Websites like Healthgrades provide this type of information.

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Skin Cancer Screening: What To Expect

Your appointment will involve a thorough examination of your skin from the top of your scalp to the bottoms of your feet by a dermatologist. They will look for suspicious spots that could be cancerous.

There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. While they each look different, the most common warning sign of any kind of skin cancer is a change on the skin, such as a new growth or a visible change in an existing growth or mole.

Ahead of the appointment, make note of any spots on your skin thatyoure concerned about, and be sure to bring them up before your doctor getsstarted.

For the exam, youll be asked to remove all of your clothing andput on a gown.

The provider often has a particular pattern with which theysystematically look at all of the skin, Dr. Riley explains. They may use abright light or hand-held magnification tool called a dermatoscope to look atskin lesions in more detail.

To make this as easy as possible, she recommends that you do thefollowing before your appointment:

• Remove all makeup.
• Remove any bandages, braces or other thingsthat may be covering the skin.
• Do not wear jewelry.

If your doctor doesnt find anything suspicious, the examshouldnt take more than 15 minutes.

How Long Does A Skin Check Take

A skin check can take up to 30 minutes. This includes some time for the doctor to ask you questions about your general health. Make sure you tell the doctor about any spots or moles you have which are Sore, Changing, Abnormal or New. The actual check of your skin can take from 5 to 20 minutes depending on your skin type and the number of moles and spots to be looked at.

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What About Other Treatments That I Hear About

When you have cancer you might hear about other ways to treat the cancer or treat your symptoms. These may not always be standard medical treatments. These treatments may be vitamins, herbs, special diets, and other things. You may wonder about these treatments.

Some of these are known to help, but many have not been tested. Some have been shown not to help. A few have even been found to be harmful. Talk to your doctor about anything youre thinking about using, whether its a vitamin, a diet, or anything else.

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What Equipment Does The Doctor Use

Your doctor will use a dermatoscope to have a close up / magnified look at any spots of concern. A dermatoscope is a bit like a torch with a magnifying glass attached to the end. Using a dermatoscope is painless. Sometimes the doctor may take a photograph of a spot or mole so it can be monitored over time for any changes in appearance.

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How To Spot Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is by far the most common type of cancer. If you know what to look for, you can spot warning signs of skin cancer early. Finding it early, when its small and has not spread, makes skin cancer much easier to treat.

Some doctors and other health care professionals include skin exams as part of routine health check-ups. Many doctors also recommend that you check your own skin about once a month. Look at your skin in a well-lit room in front of a full-length mirror. Use a hand-held mirror to look at areas that are hard to see.

Use the ABCDE rule to look for some of the common signs of melanoma, one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer:

AsymmetryOne part of a mole or birthmark doesnt match the other.

BorderThe edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.

ColorThe color is not the same all over and may include shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of pink, red, white, or blue.

DiameterThe spot is larger than ¼ inch across about the size of a pencil eraser although melanomas can sometimes be smaller than this.

EvolvingThe mole is changing in size, shape, or color.

Basal and squamous cell skin cancers are more common than melanomas, but they are usually very treatable.

Both basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, or cancers, usually grow on parts of the body that get the most sun, such as the face, head, and neck. But they can show up anywhere.

Basal cell carcinomas: what to look for:

Squamous cell carcinomas: what to look for:

Skin Cancer Is A Disease In Which Malignant Cells Form In The Tissues Of The Skin

The skin is the body’s largest organ. It protects against heat, sunlight, injury, and infection. Skin also helps control body temperature and stores water, fat, and vitamin D. The skin has several layers, but the two main layers are the epidermis and the dermis . Skin cancer begins in the epidermis, which is made up of three kinds of cells:

• Squamous cells: Thin, flat cells that form the top layer of the epidermis. Cancer that forms in squamous cells is called squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.
• Basal cells: Round cells under the squamous cells. Cancer that forms in basal cells is called basal cell carcinoma.
• Melanocytes: Found in the lower part of the epidermis, these cells make melanin, the pigment that gives skin its natural color. When skin is exposed to the sun, melanocytes make more pigment and cause the skin to tan, or darken. Cancer that forms in melanocytes is called melanoma.

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Why Do I Need A Professional Skin Check

Doctors use tools and techniques to examine skin thoroughly, beyond what the naked eye can see. And melanomas that are detected and treated early are cured in 90% of cases. So, in addition to self-checking regularly you should have a professional skin check once a year. It is also important to get a professional skin check by a doctor if anything having your annual skin check.

Early Detection Is Key

Make a habit of regularly checking your entire skin surface from head to toe, perhaps once a month. You dont have to memorize each spot, just get familiar with the types of spots you have so that youll spot an ugly duckling more easily. Once you get used to it, a thorough exam will take only a few minutes.

To help guide your self-exam, check out the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Centers Skin Cancer Screening Card: Be Smart About Your Skin, Know Your ABCDs and the UMSkinCheck App.

Keep an eye out for changes in your skin: new or changing spots , or a spot that itches, bleeds, or wont heal. Be sure to have anything you think is suspicious checked out by your dermatologist, and consider having an annual skin check completed by your dermatologist or primary physician. A biopsy may be recommended to confirm whether or not a spot is skin cancer and to determine skin cancer type.

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What Doctors And Specialists Treat Skin Cancer

Skin cancer treatment may require a team approach.

Simple skin cancers can usually be handled by a dermatologist in an office setting. More complex cases, however, may require the expertise of several health professionals to both diagnose and treat the cancer.

The experts on your healthcare team can answer important questions and provide valuable information about your diagnosis. The number of providers youll see will depend on the type of skin cancer you have and how advanced it is.

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What Skin Cancer Looks Like

Skin cancer appears on the body in many different ways. It can look like a:

• Changing mole or mole that looks different from your others

• Dome-shaped growth

• Non-healing sore or sore that heals and returns

• Brown or black streak under a nail

It can also show up in other ways.

To find skin cancer on your body, you dont have to remember a long list. Dermatologists sum it up this way. Its time to see a dermatologist if you notice a spot on your skin that:

• Differs from the others

• Itches

• Bleeds

To make it easy for you to check your skin, the AAD created the Body Mole Map. Youll find everything you need to know on a single page. Illustrations show you how to examine your skin and what to look for. Theres even place to record what your spots look like. Youll find this page, which you can print, at Body Mole Map.

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Finding Skin Cancer Early

When skin cancer is found and treated early, the chances of successful treatment are better. Get regular health checkups and see your doctor if you have any symptoms or are worried about your health.

If you have a higher than average risk, you may need to visit your doctor more often to check for skin cancer. Talk to your doctor about what can help find skin cancer early including checking your skin and having skin exams by a trained health professional.

What Can You Expect From A Skin Cancer Exam

If youre scheduled for a skin cancer screening, here are a few things to help you prepare for the screening:

• Dont wear makeup. This will allow your doctor to more easily examine the skin on your face.
• Remove any nail polish. This will allow your doctor to fully examine your fingers, nails, and nail beds.
• Keep your hair loose so your scalp can be examined.
• Take note of any concerns, like skin spots, patches, or moles, and point those out to your doctor before the exam.

Before the skin screening exam begins, youll need to take off all your clothes and put on a gown. Depending on your skin cancer risk and medical history, you may be allowed to keep your underwear on.

Your doctor will conduct a head-to-toe examination of all your skin. It may include the skin on your buttocks and genitals. Your doctor will likely use a bright light and magnifying glass to examine your skin more thoroughly.

If your doctor finds anything suspicious, theyll decide if it should be monitored or removed. A mole or tissue sample can be removed immediately or on a return appointment.

The tissue will be sent to a lab to see whether it contains cancer cells. Your doctor should receive the results within a week or two, and will share the results with you.

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How Do You Check If You Have Skin Cancer

A dermatologist may perform a full-body exam when checking for skin cancer. You want to tell your provider if you have moles that bleed, itch, have changed over time, or are new. A dermatologist will look over your entire body and examine each mole. When they look at every mole, they will consider the diameter, color, border, and symmetry of the lesions. Your doctor may also look for actinic keratoses that occur from sun damage and can lead to cancer if untreated.

However, a visual exam is only the first part. If your doctor is concerned about a mole, they will possibly perform a biopsy. Then, your dermatologist will usually send the mole sample to a lab to check it for cancer cells. If the biopsy says that there are cancer cells, your doctor may recommend additional treatment.

What Is My Skin Type

Skin types that are more sensitive to ultraviolet radiation burn more quickly and are at a greater risk of skin cancer.

All skin types can be damaged by too much UV radiation. Skin types that are more sensitive to UV radiation burn more quickly and are at a greater risk of skin cancer.

People with naturally very dark skin still need to take care in the sun even though they may rarely, if ever, get sunburnt. The larger amount of melanin in very dark skin provides natural protection from UV radiation. This means the risk of skin cancer is lower.

Eye damage can occur regardless of skin type. High levels of UV radiation have also been linked to harmful effects on the immune system.

Vitamin D deficiency may be a greater health concern for people with naturally very dark skin, as it is more difficult for people with this skin type to make vitamin D.

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See A Suspicious Spot See A Dermatologist

If you find a spot on your skin that could be skin cancer, its time to see a dermatologist. Found early, skin cancer is highly treatable. Often a dermatologist can treat an early skin cancer by removing the cancer and a bit of normal-looking skin.

Given time to grow, treatment for skin cancer becomes more difficult.

Is There Anything Else I Need To Know About A Skin Cancer Screening

Exposure to the ultraviolet rays that come from the sun plays a major role in causing skin cancer. You are exposed to these rays anytime you are out in the sun, not just when you are at the beach or pool. But you can limit your sun exposure and help reduce your risk of skin cancer if you take a few simple precautions when out in the sun. These include:

• Using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 30
• Seeking shade when possible
• Wearing a hat and sunglasses

Sunbathing also increases your risk of skin cancer. You should avoid outdoor sunbathing and never use an indoor tanning salon. There is no safe amount of exposure to artificial tanning beds, sunlamps, or other artificial tanning devices.

If you have questions about reducing your risk of skin cancer, talk to your health care provider.

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