Skin Cancer Screening Exams
Having one or more risks for skin cancer does not mean you will definitely get the disease. It means that you may be more likely to get skin cancer. Persons at increased risk for skin cancer include those who:
- Have red or blond hair, fair skin, freckles, and blue or light-colored eyes
- Live in sunny climates
- Have a family history of skin cancer, especially melanoma
- Have a personal history of skin cancer
- Work around coal, tar, arsenic compounds, creosote, pitch and paraffin oil
- Have damaged skin, such as a major scar or burn
- Have actinic keratosis, a precancerous condition of thick, scaly patches of skin. It may also appear as a cracking or peeling lower lip that does not heal with lip balm.
MD Anderson recommends that everyone pay close attention to his or her skin. Promptly show your health care provider any:
- Suspicious skin area
- Sore that doesn’t heal
- Change in a mole or freckle
Multimedia
For Physicians
Use our flowchart to determine cancer screening recommendations for patients.
- Skin screening algorithm (pdf)
MD Anderson Resources
- Childhood Melanoma
- Melanoma
- Skin cancer
- Melanoma and Skin Center
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