Once any abnormality in a mole, freckle or a patch of skin has been identified in a self-exam a follow up professional examination should be scheduled. It is important not to delay or put off this essential examination since early detection is the key to successful treatment of all types of skin cancers and melanomas.1 Some of these conditions can be very aggressive and getting into see your family doctor or a dermatologist is not something that should be avoided.
The most common reason for a delay in getting in to see the dermatologist or physician is fear on the part of the individual. However, by understanding what will happen during the examination you can relax, make the appointment and find out if there is a concern. All skin cancers and particularly melanomas are easiest to treat when detected early.
Making The Appointment
With a referral from a family doctor or through researching and selecting a dermatologist of your choice set an appointment as early as possible. If the mole or area of skin is bleeding or appears to be oozing, crusty or painful ask for an immediate appointment. If one is not available through that doctor try another dermatologist. These are often the signs of a more significant melanoma rather than the more common basal or squamous cell carcinoma.2
If melanoma is indicated, which includes the change in moles on the body, an immediate medical exam is critical. This is because melanoma can spread to other organs of the body where the other forms of skin cancer typically do not.
During the initial phone contact provide your insurance information if requested, the reason for your visit and the request to have a full body skin examination. This is important as the doctor will not just examine the problem area but will also confirm that there are no other areas of concern on your body.
At The Appointment
As with any medical appointment plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early on your first visit to complete the necessary paperwork. You will be asked to provide proof of insurance, identification as well as a complete general medical history forms. If you are currently on any types of prescription or over the counter medications be sure to bring the name and dosage amounts with you. This will be important for the dermatologist to review prior to the examination.
Some offices may have a nurse or technician meet with you to review the forms and prepare a summary of your health history. They may take vital signs, weight and measurements along with reviewing your health history. Most will also review a family and personal history that includes any possible risk factors for skin cancer. You may be asked to recall significant sunburns, tanning bed use, family history with skin cancers as well as your own personal health history. In addition information will be collected on your past and current levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure.3 Any history of autoimmune disorders, organ transplants or chronic types of health conditions will be recorded.
The Examination
You will be asked to remove all your clothing and undergarments and will be provided with a gown. The dermatologist will meet with your and confirm any information required on your history and medical record, then will actually perform a complete body exam of your skin. This will include checking your scalp and entire body for moles that are atypical or any skin irregularities. The doctor may use a bright hand held light to clearly illuminate all areas of the skin. He or she may also routinely use a magnifying glass to check for small moles or spots on the skin that may be difficult to see without magnification.4
The doctor will also answer questions you may have as well as help you to understand what is normal or an atypical mole and what you need to carefully monitor. He or she may also request a biopsy of any moles or skin irregularities or may use a dermatoscope for a diagnosis without a biopsy. This can often be completed right within the clinical setting on the same day as your examination. The biopsy includes taking a very small sliver of the skin from the irregular or atypical mole and examining it for cancerous or pre-cancerous cells.
A skin biopsy is a painless process and there are very few situations where it requires more than a few minutes to complete. The examination of the tissue may take longer depending on the specific procedure used in the diagnosis. You may be asked to reschedule an appointment to discuss the results or you may be provided the results within a very short period of time that day.
Most full body skin examinations will take approximately 15 minutes. If you have extensive moles or freckles or several areas of irregular skin it can take slightly longer. Some dermatologists now use digital camera devices to record the image of the mole or problem area or other moles, freckles and patches of skin on the body. These can then be kept in digital form and compared for any changes on your next visit.
If you complete regular self-examinations or have information on your moles, freckles and skin patches on a body map bring that in for the dermatologist. This very specific information can be helpful in allowing the dermatologist to understand the changes you have noted in the mole or area of skin and why they are of concern.
References
1 Skin Cancer Screening. (n.d.). Retrieved from National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/skin/HealthProfessional/page1
2 Skin Cancer Symptoms. (n.d.). Retrieved from Mayo Clinic: www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin-cancer/DS00190/DSECTION=symptoms
3 What is ultraviolet (UV) radiation? (n.d.). Retrieved from American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/SunandUVExposure/SkinCancerPreventionandEarlyDetection/skin-cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-what-is-u-v-radiation
4 What To Expect At A Screening. (n.d.). Retrieved from American Academy of Dermatology: www.aad.org/skin-conditions/skin-cancer-detection/what-to-expect-at-a-screening
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