Or is there another type of doctor or specialist that does this type of testing?
My father died of skin cancer when he was 33 years old. I'm 25 now, with fair skin and freckles that i've had all my life and a few moles. I keep meaning to get myself checked, but I never have. Any information would be great!
If I want to be screened for skin cancer, do I see a dermatologist?
I'm not sure the specifics, but I would see your family doctor if possible to have a check up, in order to get a referral screening with a dermatologist.
In the meantime, be sure to wear your sunscreen! I can't stress that enough.
If you're concerned about your moles, there are self screening tests here:
Specialists often recommend the ABCD rule in checking for melanomas. These letters come from the following steps:
* A symmetry. Moles are normally round. If a mole begins to take an unusual (asymmetric) shape, it may be cancerous.
* B order. A normal mole has a clear-cut border with the surrounding skin. A cancerous mole has an uneven border.
* C olor. Normal moles are tan or brown. A cancerous mole may be any mixture of red, white, blue, brown, purple, and/or black.
* D iameter. A normal mole is usually less than 5 millimeters (.25 inches) in diameter. Any mole that grows larger than that size may be cancerous.
Reply:with your family history and your complexion you need to go see a dermotologists for sure. I need to go myself.
Reply:A dermatologist is a good idea.
If your brother lives near you, the doctor he went to would also be a good bet.
Reply:I had a lesion biopsied at a dermatologist just a bit ago. That's the person to see, yes. They sent it out to a lab, just as a family doctor would have. My family doctor referred me to her.
Reply:A visit to your doctor will get you a referral to a dermatologist. You could maybe try to get in to see the one where your Brother went. I don't know where you live, but here in Aust, we have skin cancer clinics for which you need no referral and they bulk bill.
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