The American Academy of Dermatology recommends annual full-body skin exams for all adults. Melanoma survival is 99% when caught at Stage I; 30% at Stage IV.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with approximately 9,500 people diagnosed every day. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends annual full-body skin examinations for all adults, with more frequent monitoring for those at higher risk. Melanoma — the most serious form of skin cancer — is highly treatable in its early stages (99% 5-year survival rate at Stage I) and largely fatal when caught late (30% survival at Stage IV). Self-examination monthly and professional examination annually is the standard approach to early detection. People with fair skin, a history of sunburn, a family history of melanoma, or many moles should be especially diligent.
See a dermatologist annually, or immediately if you notice any spot that is changing, bleeding, or not healing. Don't wait for your annual appointment if something concerns you — skin cancer can progress quickly, and a 2-month wait for an appointment is not appropriate for a symptomatic lesion.
Schedule your annual skin exam appointment immediately after your current one ends — dermatology practices book out 2–4 months in advance in most markets. If you wait until your appointment is approaching to schedule, you may find yourself 6 months overdue before you can get in. The same applies to any specialty visit with long lead times.
A dermatologist performs a full-body visual examination of your skin, including scalp, behind the ears, under the nails, and between toes. They look for anything suspicious using the ABCDE criteria and may use a dermatoscope (a lighted magnification tool) to examine moles more closely. Suspicious spots are biopsied — a small sample is removed and sent to a lab for analysis.
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