Skin cancer screening test

How Do You Screen For Skin Cancer?

A skin cancer screening test is done to help find cancer in an early stage, so it can be more easily treated if possible, even if no symptoms are present.  During a skin exam a doctor will examine the skin for moles, birthmarks, or other pigmented areas that look abnormal in color, size, shape, or texture. If an area on the skin looks abnormal, a biopsy is usually done.  During this procedure the doctor will remove as much of the suspicious tissue as possible with an excision. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells. A skin cancer screening test can be very beneficial in early discovery and treatment of skin cancers and is very important for individuals who have previously been diagnosed with skin cancer.