Skin Cancer Screening
Reviewed
A skin cancer screening is a visual inspection of your skin to look for moles, birthmarks, or other areas with unusual color, size, shape, or texture before you have any symptoms. It is not used to diagnose cancer; if a suspicious area is found, a skin biopsy is needed to determine if cancer is present.
Preparation and collection
Do not wear makeup or nail polish. Keep your hair loose so your scalp can be checked.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- False-positive results may lead to unnecessary anxiety and procedures such as biopsy.
- False-negative results may miss skin cancer, delaying diagnosis.
- Screening may detect cancers that would never cause symptoms or harm (overdiagnosis), leading to overtreatment.
- Mobile phone apps for skin cancer screening are not proven to be accurate; always discuss results with a provider.
What to do next
If your screening was positive, follow up with your healthcare provider for a skin biopsy. If negative but you notice any changes in your skin, contact your provider. Continue regular self-exams and discuss your risk factors and screening frequency with your provider.