Skin cancer screening: What to look for and when to see a dermatologist
September 23, 2026
Many of us regularly spend time outdoors this time of year – exercising, working, gardening, or taking trips to the pool or beach. So, now is a perfect time to take a closer look at your skin.
Skin cancer is by far the most common type of cancer in the U.S. An estimated 6.1 million adults are treated for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas each year. Melanoma is less common, but it is more likely to spread to other parts of the body. About 112,000 new melanomas will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2026, and 8,510 people will die from the disease.
While Texas has one of the lowest incidence rates in the country for melanoma, skin cancer rates are rising in the state.
The good news is that you can play an important role in protecting your skin and recognizing potential warning signs. Regularly checking your own skin and getting skin exams with a dermatologist can help identify concerning spots that need a closer look.
What affects your risk for skin cancer?
Anyone can develop skin cancer. However, certain factors can increase your risk, including:
- Significant sun exposure as a child
- Work as a pilot or flight attendant
- History of blistering sunburns
- Use of tanning beds
- Family history of skin cancer, especially melanoma
- Personal history of skin cancer
Tanning beds are once again becoming popular, but they still pose risks. It’s important to avoid indoor tanning. Tanning beds expose your skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and using them is a known risk factor for skin cancer.
While people with lighter skin are at higher risk for melanoma, having darker skin does not eliminate your risk. If you have more pigment in your skin, it’s especially important to check areas that may be overlooked. This includes under your nails and the soles of your feet, where skin changes may go unnoticed and progress before it’s diagnosed.
Related: What people of color should know before getting plastic surgery or a skin procedure
Skin self-check! Look for ABCDEs and ugly ducklings
Make it a habit to check your own skin regularly for new moles and changes to existing spots. Remember your ABCDEs:
- A – Asymmetry: Does one side of the spot look different from the other?
- B – Border: Are the edges irregular rather than smooth?
- C – Color: Does the spot contain multiple colors, such as pink, brown, or black?
- D – Diameter: Is it larger than 6 millimeters, about the size of a pencil eraser? Keep in mind that smaller spots can still be concerning if they have other suspicious features.
- E – Evolution: Is an existing mole changing or growing, or has a new mole appeared?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, you should have the area checked by a doctor. We also look for what dermatologists call the “ugly duckling sign.” If you have several moles and one looks different from the rest — because of its size, color, or another feature — that is also a reason to have it evaluated.
A few more tips:
- Look over your entire body, from the top of your head down to your toes.
- Inspect less obvious places such as your scalp, nails, between your toes, and the bottoms of your feet. Skin cancer can develop even in areas that don’t often see the sun.
- Use a mirror to examine your back and other difficult-to-see areas or ask a loved one to help.
One misconception is that if a spot is flat, it is unlikely to be a skin cancer. However, early skin cancers can start as small and flat and be brown or pink spots, so evaluation by a dermatologist is necessary for a proper diagnosis.
Patients sometimes ask how to tell a mole from a freckle. Freckles are small spots that become darker with sun exposure, while moles can range from skin-colored to pink or brown spots that do not fade. If something is new, changing, or doesn’t look right to you, make an appointment with a dermatologist.
Who should get a professional skin cancer screening?
There isn’t one screening schedule that is right for everyone. For most patients, adulthood is generally a good time to begin discussing skin cancer screening with a dermatologist. They can consider your skin type, family and personal history of skin cancer, amount of previous sun exposure, and other risk factors and recommend a screening schedule that makes sense for you.
Depending on your unique risks, skin checks might be recommended as often as every six months or as infrequently as one to two years. Don’t wait for your next scheduled appointment if you discover something concerning. A new or changing mole, an unusual spot, or a lesion that doesn’t heal is worth getting checked out.
What happens during a skin cancer screening?
A skin check is primarily a visual exam. The dermatologist will examine your skin from head to toe, looking for signs of possible skin cancers.
Because we want the exam to be comprehensive, we will ask you to change into a gown. However, we will always respect your preferences about how much you want to undress and which areas you are comfortable having examined.
A skin check does not typically involve a blood draw, and finding something during an exam doesn’t mean you will automatically need a biopsy. Your dermatologist may use a dermatoscope, a specialized tool that magnifies a mole or other lesion so we can see its features in much finer detail. That information can help us determine whether a spot needs to be biopsied.
If a biopsy is recommended, an area is photographed for your medical record then numbed with an injection. A specialized blade is used to gently remove a small tissue sample. You’ll leave with a bandage over the area along with wound-care instructions. Your care team will follow up with you about your results.
It’s helpful to bring your up-to-date medication list and any prior dermatology records to the appointment.
How can I help prevent skin cancer?
While you can’t change your family history or the sun exposure you had as a child, you can reduce your ongoing UV exposure. To protect your skin, use a combination of sun-defense strategies:
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Apply it generously before going outdoors and reapply approximately every two hours and after swimming or sweating.
- Wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat.
- Limit direct sunlight exposure when UV rays are the strongest. UV radiation can reach your skin even on cloudy days and can reflect off surfaces such as water, sand, concrete, and snow.
- Avoid tanning beds.
You know your body better than anyone else. If you notice a new mole or spot or one that is changing, doesn’t heal, or stands out from surrounding skin, be proactive and talk with a doctor. Dermatologists specialize in the health of your skin, hair, and nails, and we’re here to answer your questions. A quick evaluation can determine whether a spot can be watched or whether it needs a closer look.
To talk with an expert about a concerning spot on your skin, make an appointment by calling 214-645-2400 or request an appointment online.
