How Should I Prepare for a Skin Cancer Screening?

Make a note of anything you want examined so you do not forget to mention it. When possible, arrive without makeup, nail polish, or heavy moisturizer, which can make the skin and nails easier to see.

Should I Bring Older Photos of a Spot That Has Changed?

Yes, if you have them. Photos taken over time can help show how a mole or other mark has changed, especially when the difference is subtle.

What If I Have Several Spots I Want Checked?

Write down their locations before your visit and point them out during the exam. This makes it easier to discuss each area that has caught your attention.

Can a Screening Find Precancerous Skin Changes?

A dermatologist may notice rough or scaly sun-damaged areas that need further evaluation, including possible actinic keratoses. Those findings can then be examined and managed separately.

Do I Still Need to Check My Skin if I Use Sunscreen Every Day?

Yes. Sun protection lowers UV exposure and can reduce your future skin cancer risk, but it does not eliminate the need to pay attention to changes in your skin.

Can I Discuss Screening Even if I Do Not Have One Specific Suspicious Spot?

Yes. Your personal and family history can guide a conversation about professional skin exams even when there is not a single lesion driving the visit.

What Happens if a Biopsy Is Benign?

Your dermatologist will explain the result and tell you if the area needs routine observation or any additional care. A benign result means the sampled tissue did not show skin cancer.

Cancer Screening Houston - Skin Checks Greater Houston

A new or changing mark can be difficult to judge at home. In Houston and Greater Houston, Texas, our team at DermSurgery Associates performs skin cancer screenings as part of our medical dermatology care. Leonard H. Goldberg, MD, FRCP, FAAD, FACMS specializes in Mohs and dermatologic surgery and has authored more than 350 publications related to dermatologic surgery and skin cancer.

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What Is a Skin Cancer Screening?

A skin cancer screening is a visual examination of the skin for moles, growths, sores, or other changes that may need closer attention. Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma are the three major types of skin cancer.

A screening may look at the skin more broadly, while a mole check can center on one or several specific moles that concern you. The type and frequency of examination you need will depend on your history and what your dermatologist finds.

Who Should Talk With a Dermatologist About Screening?

Anyone can develop skin cancer. Risk can be higher if you have had skin cancer before, have a family history of the disease, have numerous or certain types of moles, or have a history of significant sun exposure, sunburns, or tanning. Age and natural skin characteristics also play a role.

You do not need to diagnose a suspicious area yourself before making an appointment. Bring new, changing, itching, bleeding, or nonhealing marks to your dermatologist’s attention.

Dermatologist examining a raised mole on a patient’s shoulder during a skin cancer screening.

What Happens During a Skin Cancer Screening?

We review your medical and family history and ask about changes you have noticed. Your dermatologist then examines the areas of concern and, when appropriate, other parts of the skin that can be easy to overlook.

Seeing an unusual lesion does not mean that it is cancer. If the appearance raises concern, a biopsy may be needed to make a diagnosis. Our lumps, bumps, and biopsies services allow suspicious tissue to be examined more closely.

When a biopsy confirms skin cancer, the next step depends on the cancer type, location, size, and other clinical factors. Mohs surgery is used for certain skin cancers, but not every diagnosis calls for Mohs.

Between appointments, keep an eye on your scalp, nails, soles, between the toes, and other areas that are easy to miss. A spot that differs from the others or begins changing, itching, or bleeding deserves attention.

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Why Choose DermSurgery Associates for Skin Cancer Screening in Houston?

Our practice brings screening, biopsy evaluation, medical dermatology, and skin cancer surgery together within one dermatology group. Dr. Goldberg has spent decades treating and teaching about skin cancer and Mohs surgery, while our broader physician team includes board-certified dermatologists with experience across medical and surgical dermatology.

That continuity matters if an exam leads to additional testing or care. You can move from evaluation to the next clinical step with a team already familiar with your skin concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a Concerning Spot Checked in Houston

You do not have to decide from a mirror or a photo online if a skin change is worth examining. Contact us at DermSurgery Associates or call 713-791-9966 to arrange a skin cancer screening in Houston or Greater Houston, Texas.

Skin Cancer Screening in Houston and Greater Houston TX