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

[LadybugsMum]

I go at least yearly and have had many spots removed. I am a high risk patient for skin cancer due to my many sunburns prior to age 18.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I've never been to a Dermatologist.

I've never had any skin issues.

I always wear sunscreen, cover with clothing, wear a hat, moisturize with baby lotion, don't wear makeup, don't use a bunch of skin products etc.

My dad has had several spots of skin cancer.
My dad's cousin died of Melanoma.
They are/were farmers though that never wore sunscreen.

My niece got Melanoma at the age of 5 but beat it. (a birthmark turned into a mole that turned cancerous and is extremely rare for a small child to get)

I'd say I'm the most careful out of my family when it comes to sun exposure. I'd wear a long sleeve dress and carry a parasol around if it didn't look so out of place haha.

 

[disneychrista]

I had my first one done last year. They removed a spot on my buttocks and it came back normal. I called week before last for this years appointment and the first available was middle of February.

 

[disneychrista]

I've never been to a Dermatologist.

I've never had any skin issues.

I always wear sunscreen, cover with clothing, wear a hat, moisturize with baby lotion, don't wear makeup, don't use a bunch of skin products etc.

My dad has had several spots of skin cancer.
My dad's cousin died of Melanoma.
They are/were farmers though that never wore sunscreen.

My niece got Melanoma at the age of 5 but beat it. (a birthmark turned into a mole that turned cancerous and is extremely rare for a small child to get)

I'd say I'm the most careful out of my family when it comes to sun exposure. I'd wear a long sleeve dress and carry a parasol around if it didn't look so out of place haha.

I'm surprised someone with a family history of skin cancer wouldn't be more diligent about getting checked.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I'm surprised someone with a family history of skin cancer wouldn't be more diligent about getting checked.

Its never been suggested that I get regular checks.
My one sister and niece go on a regular basis but they always have some kind of skin issue like rash/dry skin etc.
Not even my niece that had the cancer goes more than once a year.
My dad goes often because he often has issues.
I think out of my family I'm the one with the least potential of having issues since I pride myself on sun protection and minimal products.

 

[MIGrandma]

Yes, I’ve had a full body check, a couple years ago. A few years ago I had a small spot on my face that had to be removed by Mohs surgery. And I’ve had a few pre-cancerous spots on my head zapped with liquid nitrogen. Last time I saw my dermatologist he said to come back as needed. I’m going to have to make an appointment with him as I have a small suspicious spot on top of my head, and I’m thinking the spot on my face needs looked at too as it looks like it is coming back. My hair is super thin, and you can’t put sunscreen on your head. I try to wear a hat if I know I’m going to get a lot of sun exposure, like mowing the lawn. But for shopping, going for a walk, etc. I sometimes forget.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Every 6 months. He always finds s few things to freeze with his nitrous gun. I've had 3 or 4 biopsies, 1 was squamous, MOHS took care of it. Dermatologist said us 60+ patients are their best customers. Growing up in the 50's and 60's, tan was in, no sunscreen to buy even if you wanted. Just suntan oil and cream. No hats, no AC in cars (left arm out the open window. And today, younger women, from the tanning salons. Today, I can't understand why people still 'sunbath'. It's like smoking. We know it is not good, yet people do it.

 

[easyas123]

I go yearly - once in a while they ask me to come back in at the 6 month mark to double check stuff....I've had skin cancer and the surgery to remove it was no fun, although on the cancer scale of 1 to hell it was only a 1, so I try to keep that in perspective!

I guess I've been going yearly for about 10 years or so...I'm 52 now. Always makes me feel better after I get a look over as I'm the odd bird who is a heavily freckled naturel red head that tans well. I also do a lot of work outside, and even though I wear sun screen I didn't always.

 

[Turn the Page]

My dad has a history of melanoma, he's had it 7 or 8 times now I think, so I went annually anyway as we are fair skinned folk and I'm super spotty anyway. I have things biopsied just about every time I go because my spots are funky looking and due to my family history.

I am 41 and was diagnosed with melanoma myself last fall so now I go twice a year. My next appointment is in 2 weeks in fact. They caught it so early that the biopsy itself pretty much removed the entire lesion but we did go in to have a bit more excized just to be on the safe side.

Get checked people. My cancer was cured with a biopsy. You can't really catch it any earlier than that.

 

[georgina]

I thought the thread title using 'scan' was a bit misleading. To me scan implies a machine involved. I have been to a dermatologist for an exam. I assume there is an age when it is recommended to start (I'm 62). There was a small pink spot above my lip that she froze off. DH just got back from his twice a year check - last time he had a portion of the skin on his nose removed, today a small spot on his cheek was frozen off. (He's 70) I don't think any of my kids has gone for a skin cancer check. One of my DD's had a mole on her back removed when she was in her teens.

 

[Ellie008]

On the advice of my family dr I went for a full body exam once. It was probably 5-10 years ago. The Dermatologist was an older gentlemen with no bedside manner. The nurse didn't stay in the room, and I felt very exposed and uncomfortable the entire time. I will never go back there. But I probably should find someone else and give it another try. The first exam did not turn up anything so I haven't been overly worried about it.

For reference, I have a male OB/GYN and have never once felt uncomfortable there. The Dermatologist experience was awful, and is something I hope to never repeat.

 

[CdnCarrie]

I don't think most Canadians have a dermatologist unless you were referred to one for a specific reason. I went to one for acne and it was 4-5 month wait. I can't see the healthcare system just allowing everyone to go for a yearly dermatologist check unless there is a history of skin cancer.

This is the first I've ever heard of such a thing.

 

[slo]

I thought the thread title using 'scan' was a bit misleading. To me scan implies a machine involved. I have been to a dermatologist for an exam. I assume there is an age when it is recommended to start (I'm 62). There was a small pink spot above my lip that she froze off. DH just got back from his twice a year check - last time he had a portion of the skin on his nose removed, today a small spot on his cheek was frozen off. (He's 70) I don't think any of my kids has gone for a skin cancer check. One of my DD's had a mole on her back removed when she was in her teens.

I agree and I changed it - thank you for pointing that out

 

[LadybugsMum]

On the advice of my family dr I went for a full body exam once. It was probably 5-10 years ago. The Dermatologist was an older gentlemen with no bedside manner. The nurse didn't stay in the room, and I felt very exposed and uncomfortable the entire time. I will never go back there. But I probably should find someone else and give it another try. The first exam did not turn up anything so I haven't been overly worried about it.

For reference, I have a male OB/GYN and have never once felt uncomfortable there. The Dermatologist experience was awful, and is something I hope to never repeat.

I hate that you had that experience. Please find another provider especially if you are higher risk for skin cancer.

 

[The Mayor]

Have my yearly scan every June. I've had a couple of microscopic spots removed and biopsied and a couple frozen. I grew up on the beach and like @Dan Murphy stated, there was no such thing as sunscreen in those days. I have a pool now and spend a lot of time in it in the summer but I'm lathered up with 50+ sunscreen and always wear a hat.

 

[mommasita]

I don't think most Canadians have a dermatologist unless you were referred to one for a specific reason. I went to one for acne and it was 4-5 month wait. I can't see the healthcare system just allowing everyone to go for a yearly dermatologist check unless there is a history of skin cancer.

This is the first I've ever heard of such a thing.

No, you can for sure. I’ve done it. I had a mole or what they thought was on my lip. You are right, you need a referral. I had the full body done, and have yearly check up’s, and even the first was nothing

 

[LuvOrlando]

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.

Do be careful as things with the pancreas move very fast. Has anyone mentioned an Endoscopic ultrasound? I had one in December because I am BRCA2 so high risk for Pancreatic Cancer which took my much loved cousin, we have the same exact mutation As I understand it this is the best way to watch, but most GI Dr's are not trained so you need to find a specialist for the sonogram guided one. If you have not gone yet maybe get a second opinion at U of Penn where they definitely have Drs for this. I also get an abdominal MRI in alternating years. From what I gather this is not quite a standard of care for screening yet, but with a cyst a good Dr can probably make the argument for you and then it is up to insurance, I think all insurance allows a second opinion and generally insurance is more easygoing with the second opinion. Pancreatic stuff is unnerving because it is stealthy I feel for you.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/endoscopic-ultrasound/about/pac-20385171

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Do be careful as things with the pancreas move very fast. Has anyone mentioned an Endoscopic ultrasound? I had one in December because I am BRCA2 so high risk for Pancreatic Cancer which took my much loved cousin, we have the same exact mutation As I understand it this is the best way to watch, but most GI Dr's are not trained so you need to find a specialist for the sonogram guided one. If you have not gone yet maybe get a second opinion at U of Penn where they definitely have Drs for this. I also get an abdominal MRI in alternating years. From what I gather this is not quite a standard of care for screening yet, but with a cyst a good Dr can probably make the argument for you and then it is up to insurance, I think all insurance allows a second opinion and generally insurance is more easygoing with the second opinion. Pancreatic stuff is unnerving because it is stealthy I feel for you.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/endoscopic-ultrasound/about/pac-20385171

Thanks for your caring response.

My health insurance is through Medicaid. After I had my gallbladder out a few years ago, I had a routine MRI a few weeks afterward to make sure that everything looked good. My surgeon, who also happens to be a cancer surgeon at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper Hospital, spotted the cyst on my pancreas during the review of my gallbladder MRI. He immediately asked for another MRI, which Medicaid granted. The cyst is 3 centimeters, and I was told that they don't 'worry' until it reaches 5 centimeters, if it even grows at all. He asked for an ultrasound and Medicaid denied it. I can't get anything but an MRI every *two* years. The surgeon (Dr. Hong) asks for an MRI like clockwork *every* year and every year Medicaid denies it-which was the case a couple of months ago. I get my next MRI next summer to see if it's grown. I had an MRI two years ago and it hadn't grown any. I live with the worry and if I'm being completely honest, the resignation of dying from pancreatic cancer at some point in my life. I'm grateful for the health coverage, but Medicaid, well. You're just a number and they do the bare minimum.

 

[tvguy]

Thanks for your caring response.

My health insurance is through Medicaid. After I had my gallbladder out a few years ago, I had a routine MRI a few weeks afterward to make sure that everything looked good. My surgeon, who also happens to be a cancer surgeon at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper Hospital, spotted the cyst on my pancreas during the review of my gallbladder MRI. He immediately asked for another MRI, which Medicaid granted. The cyst is 3 centimeters, and I was told that they don't 'worry' until it reaches 5 centimeters, if it even grows at all. He asked for an ultrasound and Medicaid denied it. I can't get anything but an MRI every *two* years. The surgeon (Dr. Hong) asks for an MRI like clockwork *every* year and every year Medicaid denies it-which was the case a couple of months ago. I get my next MRI next summer to see if it's grown. I had an MRI two years ago and it hadn't grown any. I live with the worry and if I'm being completely honest, the resignation of dying from pancreatic cancer at some point in my life. I'm grateful for the health coverage, but Medicaid, well. You're just a number and they do the bare minimum.

Do you have Medicare Part A and B, or Medicare Part C, the so called Medicare Advantage type insurance? I'm only two years into Medicare Part A and B, and trust me, I have had a ton of tests, some repeatedly. The imagine lab people said if a Doctor orders it, it is automatically paid for by Medicare, I never have to wait for pre-approval.
Medicare Part C, Medicare Advantage is where they shift you to a private insurance company. Often that coverage is free, and you may even get money back every month. The trade off is, some procedures require pre-authorization, and there are limits like you describe. But like I said, if you are regular Medicare, no approval is needed.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Do you have Medicare Part A and B, or Medicare Part C, the so called Medicare Advantage type insurance? I'm only two years into Medicare Part A and B, and trust me, I have had a ton of tests, some repeatedly. The imagine lab people said if a Doctor orders it, it is automatically paid for by Medicare, I never have to wait for pre-approval.
Medicare Part C, Medicare Advantage is where they shift you to a private insurance company. Often that coverage is free, and you may even get money back every month. The trade off is, some procedures require pre-authorization, and there are limits like you describe. But like I said, if you are regular Medicare, no approval is needed.

I don't have Medicare at all, just Medicaid. I can't seem to get it through their heads, whomever is reviewing my MRI results and denying me care, that my doctors are worried and so am I.