Full Body Skin Exam
Even though skin cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, when caught early, it can be removed with no further treatments. At Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute, all of our board-certified dermatologists perform full body skin exams on men and women living in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Kendall, FL, and nearby cities, to detect and eliminate suspicious marks before they become cancerous.
What Is a Full Body Skin Exam?
A full body skin exam is a thorough evaluation of the skin from head to toe to detect skin cancer. When found early, it is very easy to treat often by simply removing the suspicious marks or moles. While many people do not have full body skin exams until they become alarmed about a mark, it is highly recommended that they have these exams every year.
HOW IS A FULL BODY SKIN EXAM PERFORMED?
During a full body skin exam, one of our board-certified dermatologists thoroughly examines the skin over the entire body, including the scalp, genitals, and even between the toes to look for any suspicious marks or moles that may be pre-cancerous or cancerous. Additionally, the dermatologist goes over the patient’s family and medical history, including any incidences with skin cancer along with medications and activities that may make the patient more susceptible to skin cancer.
Full body exams typically take less than 30 minutes to perform. If there are any marks or moles that look uncertain, they may be removed to biopsy them for any signs of cancer. This may take extra time.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM A FULL BODY SKIN EXAM?
Most full body exams are routine and do not involve any further investigations. Moles and marks are typically photographed and measured so that they may be re-examined to see if they have grown or changed. Anything removed is sent to a lab for biopsy to determine if there is cancer present.
AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A FULL BODY SKIN EXAM?
If you spend a lot of time outdoors, have a family or personal history of skin cancer, or have sun-damaged skin, it is not only a good idea to schedule a full body skin exam, it is essential that you have these on a yearly basis. Prevention is best; however, if a mole is cancerous, it is very common to remove it before it becomes a dire situation.
At Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute, all of our board-certified dermatologists perform full body skin exams on men and women living in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Kendall, FL, as well as the surrounding areas, to detect and remove any suspicious marks or moles. Contact us to schedule your exam today.
