Skin Cancer Screening Guidelines

Skin cancers are more common than all other cancers combined. About 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime.

 

While skin cancers can be serious and sometimes deadly, early diagnosis leads to a 99% five-year survival rate, meaning 99% of people will live at least five years if caught early.

Skin Cancer Risk Factors

Knowing your skin cancer risk factors can help you take steps to control them. Your provider can help you understand these risk factors, including:

  • Age – Risk increases with age, especially in men
  • Exposure to sunlight – Could be natural or artificial, such as from tanning beds, over long periods of time
  • Damaged skin – Including scars, burns or inflammation
  • Family history
  • Having a fair complexion – This includes:
    • Fair skin that freckles or burns easily, does not tan or tans poorly
    • Blue, green or other light-colored eyes
    • Red or blond hair
  • Gender – Skin cancer is most common in men, but women’s risk is higher before age 50
  • Previous personal history – Including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, familial dysplastic nevus syndrome or unusual moles
  • Previous radiation treatment
  • Smoking
  • Changes in genes or hereditary syndromes – Including basal cell nevus syndrome, that are linked to skin cancer
  • Weakened immune system
Women with skin cancer on arm

Types of Skin Cancer Screening

While there are currently no medical skin cancer screening tests, the best method for early detection is monthly self-exams. Here’s what to look for:

  • New spots
  • Bleeding sores that won’t heal
  • Rough or scaly red patches
  • Wart-like growths
  • New moles or moles that change size, shape, or color or have irregular shape

The first symptom of melanoma is often a change in a mole or the appearance of a new mole. The ABCDE rule can help you tell a normal mole from one that might be melanoma. The rule is:

  • Asymmetry. One half of the mole does not match the other half.
  • Border irregularity. The edges of the mole are ragged or irregular.
  • Color. The mole has different colors in it. It may be tan, brown, black, red or other colors. Or it may have areas that appear to have lost color.
  • Diameter. The mole is bigger than 6 mm or ¼ inch across, about the size of a pencil eraser. But some melanomas can be smaller.
  • Evolving. A mole changes in size, shape or color.

Be sure to inspect all areas of your skin, including under your nails and hair. 

Patient talking about skin cancer screening with doctor

Talk to Your Provider

If you notice any concerns or changes to your skin during your regular monthly self-exam, be sure to talk with your doctor. They will examine the area of concern, review your skin cancer risk factors and guide you on next steps. You may need a referral to a dermatologist or a biopsy of the tissue.

How to Prevent Skin Cancer

While there are many benefits to getting fresh air and exercise outdoors, it’s important to protect your skin while doing so. Try to stay in the shade, wear protective clothing and apply and re-apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.

Get Started

You can begin regular monthly self-exams for skin cancer right away. If you notice anything concerning, talk with your primary care provider. If you don’t have an primary care provider, find one near you in our provider directory.
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