What is it?

A skin and mole check is a medical examination performed by a dermatologist to assess the health of your skin to identify any abnormalities, such as suspicious moles or lesions that could indicate skin cancer or other dermatological conditions. We strongly recommend annual full-body skin checks as part of a proactive approach to maintaining skin health. This recommendation applies especially to individuals at a higher risk of skin cancer due to factors such as the presence of moles, irregular or unusual moles, a family history of skin cancer, prolonged sun exposure without adequate protection or a compromised immune system. 

What we’re checking for: The three most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

Both basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma are called “keratinocyte carcinomas.” This is a non-melanoma skin cancer that develops in the keratinocytes, the most common type of skin cells in the epidermis - otherwise known as the top layer of your skin. 

Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It starts in the melanocytes - the cells that make the pigment that gives skin its color. While less common than basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma is more dangerous because it can quickly spread to other organs if not treated early. However, it’s worth noting that melanoma is usually curable when detected and treated early. 

If you’ve not had an annual skin exam, or if you notice any abnormal or unusual changes on your skin, such as new and changing skin areas, are uncomfortable or have wounds that won’t heal, give our practice a call. With years of experience and board-certified dermatologists, we are expertly trained to treat you.

What to expect

During your appointment, we’ll conduct a comprehensive examination from head to toe, including your scalp and between your fingers and toes. We’ll also discuss your areas of concern and examine them more closely.  We’re looking for areas, moles, patches and lesions that look different and abnormal, including spots with irregular borders, multiple colors, or bigger than six millimeters in diameter (about one-quarter of an inch). If an unusual area is identified, we may use a magnifying device to examine the skin more closely. 

If we encounter an area of concern, we may recommend a biopsy, which involves taking a skin sample to test. This takes just a few minutes, and the area where we took the biopsy typically heals in one to two weeks. We’ll send the biopsy to our lab for testing and talk with you about when to expect the results (we understand this can be an anxious time, and we’ll ensure we get the results to you as quickly as possible.). 

If cancer has been detected, we will arrange for additional treatments, such as surgery to remove the cancerous area. Other treatments may include medication; if severe, we may refer you to an oncologist for further treatment. 

Again, if you’re concerned, please call our offices and schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified dermatologists in our offices located Adrian, Battle Creek, Dowagiac, Hillsdale, Jackson, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Sturgis, Michigan, as well as Angola, Elkhart, Goshen and Plymouth, Indiana.