Skin Cancer Screenings

[disneychrista]

I just went for my second one and it was very quick, less than 5 minutes. I thought the first time was longer but I could be wrong.

 

[Rogue1677x]

I get skin checks yearly and fortunately have been all clear.

Now, here's a case of melanoma that was not found through a skin check: my boss developed an enlarged lymph node shortly after starting work in my office. No other symptoms, just a very large lymph node on his neck. He got it checked out, tests were run and turns out he had melanoma, even though after a very thorough skin check was done after finding the lymph node, not a single mole was found.

He was staged at 3B and underwent treatment, which was successful.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Does anyone go to dermatologist for skin cancer screenings? I went last week and it was so quick I wonder if she even looked carefully. I thought everyone 40 and older was recommended to get a skin check annually, but the dermatologist I went to said I could go every few years. She was very nice but I think the actual skin check was about 45 seconds. She just moved the gown around a little and that was it.

That sounds like my experience with skin cancer screening. DH, on the other hand, goes every 6 months-he's had melanoma, basal cell, and squamous cell carcinoma. Ironically, he first went because he had a strange spot on his nose-basal cell. Then, the day before his appointment to set up treatment, I said "you have a strange spot back here (rear of his arm)-would you have the doctor check it while you're there tomorrow". Turns out that was melanoma, needed immediate treatment (first seen by MD Anderson on the next Thursday, surgery on the following Tuesday). Now, he says it's not a "true" appointment with the dermatologist unless he cuts or scrapes something!

 

[citruscurtis]

WOW ... this has been very informative...my 4 of 6 surgeries were during covid and there were no support groups....my cancer center had a office just for moral support...but was covid closed

 

[lovin'fl]

I live in FL now, past 4ish years. So I went to the dermatologist bus that came to our neighborhood (55+) to get a screening. She too just glanced over me in like 2 mins real quick. Asked me if there were any concerning spots and I showed her a couple that she said were not anything. Then the bus stopped taking our insurance so I haven't been since. Its been about 2-2.5 years.

DH goes to a dermatologist office and had a small cancer removed from his leg. He goes there annually now to be screened.

 

[magik]

I go yearly to a dermatologist for a full body check. They usually start by asking if there are any areas I’m concerned about and look at those spots first. I would say the appointments are quick, but longer than 45 seconds.

 

[bigpinkdaisy]

I started going for skin checks about 6 years ago(when I was about 42) after my mom was going and repeatedly having to have spots removed and finding out they were two different types of cancer(not melanomas, thankfully). They are always thorough and take about 5 minutes like others have said. They track the locations from visit to visit on an iPad. When I have one removed, I end up having to do 3 month follow ups for the next year. I've since had two basal cell carcinomas removed which appeared out of nowhere and looked unusual. I actually have an appointment next week because I have a few more that have appeared this past spring and summer. My mom and I are very fair skinned. Because of that, I have made sure my husband and our son are checked yearly. Our son had a mole on his back removed when he was 17 that came back as basal cell carcinoma - so it's never too early to start getting checked.