When to Get a Skin Cancer Screening

Those at risk for skin cancer or over 40 should have an annual skin cancer screening. Between the ages of 20 to 40 for those who are not at risk, I recommend every two to three years. If you have a personal history of skin cancer, more frequent exams are warranted which may range from every three to six months. Those at high risk include individuals with excessive UV exposure, a history of blistering sunburns as a child, those with atypical or large moles, patients with a personal or family history of melanoma in the first degree, and those that are receiving immunosuppressive therapy.