A full body skin cancer screening (FBSC) is a visual assessment of your entire skin surface performed by a trained dermatologist. The examination looks for suspicious lesions, moles, or growths that may indicate skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or melanoma. This proactive approach is crucial for early detection, which significantly increases the likelihood of successful treatment and improved outcomes. The screening provides a comprehensive check of areas you may not regularly see yourself, including the scalp, back, and soles of the feet.
Preparing for the Screening Appointment
Preparation for a full body skin exam is straightforward. You should plan to wear loose, easily removable clothing, as you will be asked to undress completely and change into a medical gown. It is important to remove all makeup, lotions, and heavy sunscreen from your skin before the appointment, as these can easily conceal subtle spots or lesions the dermatologist needs to see clearly.
Removing all nail polish from fingernails and toenails is necessary, allowing the provider to examine the nail beds where skin cancer can sometimes develop. Additionally, avoid wearing jewelry or accessories that might cover areas of the skin. Before your appointment, it is helpful to make a list of any specific moles that have recently changed, new growths you have noticed, or spots that cause you concern, so you can discuss these with the provider.
What Happens During the Full Body Exam
The examination begins after you change into a medical gown. The dermatologist will start the exam with a review of your medical and family history, focusing on past sun exposure and any recent changes to your skin. The physical inspection is systematic, usually starting at the head and moving downward to ensure every area of the body is checked.
The dermatologist will carefully inspect the scalp, parting your hair as needed, followed by the face, ears, neck, and torso. The examination includes areas often overlooked, such as the palms of your hands, the soles of your feet, and the skin between your toes. While the gown is used to maintain privacy, the provider will lift or shift it to examine one section of your body at a time, including the buttocks and genital area, depending on your comfort level and risk factors.
To scrutinize any suspicious areas, the dermatologist will use a specialized handheld tool called a dermatoscope. This device provides magnification and illumination, allowing the provider to visualize structures beneath the skin’s surface that are not visible to the naked eye. A full body skin exam lasts around 10 to 20 minutes, though it may take longer if you have numerous moles or if it is your first comprehensive screening. Any notable findings are carefully documented, often with photographs, to monitor changes over time.
Understanding Results and Next Steps
Following the exam, the dermatologist will discuss the findings with you. If no suspicious spots are identified, you will be advised to continue performing regular self-examinations and schedule your next screening, typically on an annual basis. If an unusual lesion is discovered, the provider may recommend a skin biopsy to determine its nature.
A biopsy is a minor in-office procedure where a small tissue sample is removed for microscopic analysis. Common biopsy methods include a shave biopsy, which removes only the top layers of the skin, or a punch biopsy, which takes a small, deeper, circular core sample. For lesions highly suspected of being melanoma, an excisional biopsy may be performed to remove the entire growth along with a small border of normal tissue.
Pathology results usually take one to two weeks to return, and the dermatologist will contact you to explain the findings. The lesion will be classified as benign (non-cancerous), an atypical nevus, or confirmed as a form of skin cancer. Based on the pathology report, the next steps may involve no further treatment, a secondary procedure to fully remove a cancerous spot, or establishing a more frequent schedule for future screenings based on your risk profile.