slo’s TUESDAY 10/8 poll - Full Body Exam At The Dermatologist 🔍

[slo]

Every now and then I like to have my silly little polls have an important health and wellness topic. Many times I base the topic on my own experience(s). Today’s health and wellness topic is about full body skin exams at the dermatologist. I’m going for mine this morning, which is why I am bringing it up today. Below is a picture on the importance of skin exams. Getting these exams done is as important as so many other check ups that we do - mammograms, prostate exams, going to the dentist and etc. Let’s talk about our skin today……



Have you ever had a full body scan at the dermatologist?
If yes….. when was your last one?
Was anything found?
Did you need to have it removed?
(Multiple-choice)


For Me…… I tried to go every year or every other year. my last full party exam was last year and the doctor found a couple places to watch but nothing that needed to be removed. Couple years ago I didn’t need a spot removed that was pre-cancerous. I’m going this morning and hoping that I leave there not need anything removed this year.

My DH goes to the dermatologist office (he’s actually going after work today - same doctor) and has areas cut out of his head or frozen on his head all the time. My FIL is always going to the dermatologist and always is having issues with new areas popping up.

My DD21 had an area cut out of the center of her back when she was 16 years old - it was pre-cancerous. I told her she needs to find a dermatologist where she lives so she can get her full body scan done soon.

Skin cancer is no joke, and some thing we all might have, and not know, unless we go to the dermatologist. So if you have never had a full body scan done, please consider going. It’s no fun getting an area cut out, but it’s better than letting that area grow, get bigger, and potentially have a far worse impact on your life other than some uncomfortableness and painful a little while. I hope this poll today helps inspire some to find a dermatologist, and to make that phone call to make an appointment

 

[WDWEPCOT]

Thank You SLO !!!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Never been to a dermatologist.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Never heard of this.

 

[Meriweather]

Yes, I go every year. I have not had problem areas found, but I have had annoying spots frozen off. I was just there a couple of weeks ago

DH goes every 6 months. He usually has areas on his head frozen off and last year had a biopsy done (all was fine)

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I have never had a full body scan to check for suspicious moles or lesions on my skin. Right now, the doctors are watching the cyst on my pancreas, which I am much more concerned about. I know I should be checked, but it's not high on my health list at the moment.

 

[Kitty 34]

I've never had a scan.

 

[PollyannaMom]

This is something I'd like to start doing in the next couple of years. Do you just book them with your dermatologist, or do you have some sort of referral from your primary doc?

 

[MamaMermaid]

I'm a FL girlie - born and raised - so I go yearly.

 

[soccerdad72]

I had my first one just a couple weeks ago. My wife went a few months back and they found some skin cancer (very early stages) and removed it, so it was a good reminder to go get checked out. Fortunately, they only found one area of any concern and nothing they felt like they needed to remove, just monitor.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I visit Dermatologist every 6 months. I have had treatments to have things removed, and have had things frozen off.

 

[cvjw]

Go every year. For many, many years. Growing up by the gulf, before sun screen, means many areas that need freezing off. One skin cancer that required MOHS surgery. I will always have full body skin checks.

Many people must not go to the dermatologist. It is terrifying how many skin cancers I see on people on cruises or at the beach. Areas that need immediate attention - as they are out baking in the sun. I never say anything, as I feel that isn’t my place.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I never used to get any kind of regular check, but in November of 2021, I went into a local dermatologist to have her look at a mole on the interior of my right calf. She thought it was nothing, but I pushed for a biopsy because it had been changing. She tried to put my mind at ease about how easy it would be to remove it if it turns out to be this or that...with just a hint of what could be in store if it was more serious. Less than a week before Thanksgiving, just before 8am on a Friday morning, I got a call from the dr.

She said it was a melanoma. She said the depth and type were classified as a bit more aggressive and uncommon. She gave me two options for referral. One guy was closer to home and would be easier in and out for examination and treatment. It would also likely be cheaper and taken care of sooner. The other was in the middle of the city and peace of mind knowing you're going to the very best. It took over 3 weeks to get in for my initial appointment, but when I did...both the PA and the melanoma surgeon did a full body check for other potential issues.

I'll spare you all of the drama with the removal, lymph node biopsy and subsequent procedures, but I'm supposed to go every 4-6 months for full body checks for 5 years (as well as xrays). I was pretty solid my first 2.5 years, but with the costs (unlike mammograms, none of this is very well covered by my insurance) and the findings with my first surgery (no sun damage in the impacted area), I'm slacking on getting back in. I know it SHOULD be done and I should reschedule for what I was supposed to do late July/early August, but there truly are times where this feels like a money grab. It's also so freaking depressing every time I have to go into the cancer hospital. I truly hate it. Not that I enjoy the dermatologist, but it's so bad it puts my blood pressure through the roof.

 

[_19disnA]

Never knew it was supposed to be some sort of annual thing. Seems more like an effort by dermatologists to drum up business. I would assume my regular doctor would refer me to have other tests if he felt there was something requiring further investigation. I don't look for reasons to have additional medical tests if my doctor sees no issues.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

I have seen a dermatologist regularly for about 5 or 6 years now. I do get the FULL BODY exam every year. Yes, I've had removals. Thankfully, nothing has been cancerous.

My dad had many skin cancer removals in his life. When I noticed a different looking thing on myself in my later 50's, I knew it was time to take skin cancer check ups seriously.

My advice, DO it, don't wait, get screened and wear that sunscreen faithfully!

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

This is something I'd like to start doing in the next couple of years. Do you just book them with your dermatologist, or do you have some sort of referral from your primary doc?

My very first dermatology visit was a FREE Skin Cancer check during an awareness month many. many years ago. I had a tiny "blue nevus" on my lower leg forever that I hated and I wanted an opinion. I like the Dr that I saw, she did a "punch biopsy" and a few years later when I knew I needed to make this a regular thing, I called this Dr back and got in no problem.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

I go yearly. I've had a couple of small things taken off to check, but nothing has come back as an issue.

 

[tvguy]

I went for the first time in 2020. At the start of the exam the Doctor said he normally likes to see his patients once a year. They biopsied something on my temple, and it was basal cell. That was removed, and moved me from needing a full body exam once a year, to twice a year. So I have had 8 full body scans in the past 4 years. I have had 4 suspicious things biopsied since the basal cell was found on my face, but those 4 have all been benign.

 

[BayouQueen]

I go every year, as I've always lived in sunny Southern California. Nothing bad has ever been found, though.
DH goes regularly, too, and has had a lot of skin cancers removed. Even one on his eyeball. Which was found in his regular eye exam -- so those are important as well.

For anyone uncomfortable with the idea of a body exam, just do it. It's nothing. They look you over very quickly and don't leave you fully exposed at any one time.

 

[KPeterso]

I go to my dermatologist about every 6 months. And she does a full body review and check at least annually. I have fair skin and have had several moles removed over the years and a couple have been pre cancerous. My most recent exam in May she decided to watch something and when I went back in August, she decided it was coming off that day. Before going to the dermatologist, my primary did a full skin check each year during my physical. She removed at least 2-3 things from me over the years.