How Often to Schedule Skin Cancer Screenings

Preventing skin cancer involves more than just daily sun protection. Regular screenings are crucial for identifying changes in your skin early, especially those you might miss yourself. Find out how often you should get a skin check from a professional.

Summer in Florida doesn’t just bring heat and humidity but also delivers an extreme dose of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Being smart about sun protection is essential, but that’s only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to preventing skin cancer.

Routine skin cancer screenings can detect potential issues in their earliest stages, allowing for prompt, effective intervention. At Florida Dermatology Associates, Ruben Moreno, MD, and the team offer comprehensive care, from precise diagnosis to advanced treatments such as superficial radiation and Mohs micrographic surgery.

Have you had your skin checked lately? This month, learn how often to schedule your screenings based on your personal risk factors.

Understanding your risk factors for skin cancer

About 20% of people in the United States develop some skin cancer. While it can happen to anyone, certain factors make some individuals more susceptible than others.

Your complexion plays a significant role. People with fairer skin, light-colored eyes, and red or blonde hair are naturally more prone to severe sunburns, which raises your risk — but continuous sun exposure can be harmful whether it’s obvious or not.

Overexposure to UV rays damages the DNA within your skin cells, potentially leading to abnormal cell growth and skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. If you’re frequently outdoors, for work, leisure, or any other reason, skin checks are key.

Because UV damage accumulates over time, a history of unprotected sun exposure and sunburn can still increase your risk, even if you’re more careful now. Your personal and family history of skin cancer is another consideration. If you’ve had a diagnosis in the past, or if close family members have, you should be vigilant about monitoring your skin.

Your personalized screening schedule

We generally recommend skin cancer screenings annually for all our patients. However, if you fall into one of the higher-risk categories mentioned above, Dr. Moreno may suggest more frequent evaluations to keep a closer eye on any concerns.

We conduct a full-body examination of your skin during your appointment. Should we find any moles or lesions that appear suspicious, we may take a small tissue sample (biopsy) for laboratory analysis.

Self-examinations

Between your scheduled screenings at our office, your most powerful tool for early detection is routine self-checks. Dedicate some time once a month to thoroughly look over your entire body, using a mirror for hard-to-see areas like your back, scalp, and the soles of your feet.

Keep these warning signs in mind:

Asymmetry: A mole or spot with an odd shape
Border: The edges are irregular, jagged, or blurred
Color: Varying shades of color within the mole
Diameter: The spot is over 6 millimeters — larger than a pencil eraser, for example — though some skin cancers can be smaller
Evolving: Any change in size, shape, color, or elevation, or any new symptoms, like bleeding, itching, or crusting

If you notice any growths or lesions with these characteristics or other new irregularities, see Dr. Moreno and the team for an evaluation. We offer a range of removal options right here in the office, including straightforward procedures, such as freezing or surgical excision, as well as specialized approaches like superficial radiation or Mohs surgery.

Whether you’re concerned about skin cancer or simply looking to address the cosmetic effects of sun damage, call Florida Dermatology Associates today to schedule your appointment. We have offices in Palm Bay, Melbourne, Cocoa Beach, Cocoa, Titusville, and Rockledge, ensuring that quality dermatological care is always within reach.