What happens at a skin cancer screening?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
A skin screening is a 10-minute head-to-toe visual exam with a dermatoscope - suspicious spots get photographed, watched, or biopsied. Only a biopsy diagnoses skin cancer.
What to do
- Book for any changing spot - no waiting for annual rituals.
- Know the ABCDE signs - asymmetry, border, color, diameter, evolution.
- Biopsy is the only diagnosis - most come back benign, per NCI guidance.
- Monthly mirror self-checks - back and scalp included.
Related questions
- Should I see a doctor for a mole?
- How to tell if a mole is cancerous
- When should I get my moles checked?
- What does a normal mole look like?