Skin cancer is the most common cancer, and when it is found early it is usually very treatable. A full-body check once a year is the single most useful thing this practice does, so we put it first rather than folding it into a general visit.
The check is systematic: a head-to-toe look that includes the places you cannot easily see yourself - your back, scalp, and between your toes - using a dermatoscope for a closer look at anything worth a second glance. New or changing moles are photographed so a future visit can compare against today rather than relying on memory.
Worth getting looked at, without waiting for your annual visit: a mole changing in size, shape or color, a spot that looks different from all the others, or one that bleeds or will not heal. This is not a checklist for diagnosing yourself - it is a reason to call and get an earlier appointment. Concerning spots are typically seen within a few days; routine checks are scheduled further out.
