If you live in Central Florida, your skin spends more time in the sun than it does almost anywhere else in the country. UV damage accumulates from childhood onward, and it’s the single biggest preventable risk factor for skin cancer.
Why annual exams matter
One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. In Florida, that risk is higher: sun exposure is year-round, and most people underestimate how much UV they get in an ordinary week.
The good news: skin cancer caught early is highly treatable.
- Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma have cure rates above 95% when caught and treated early.
- Early-stage melanoma has a 5-year survival rate of 99%.
- An annual full-body exam catches the lesions you can’t easily see: scalp, between toes, behind ears, and the soft skin patients commonly miss.
What a 15-minute exam looks like
You’ll change into a gown for a head-to-toe visual exam, including the spots most people never check. Your provider uses a dermatoscope, a hand-held magnifier with polarized light, to inspect anything that looks unusual.
If a lesion is concerning, a biopsy can be done in the same visit. There’s no separate appointment, no waiting weeks. Most biopsies take only a few minutes.
You’ll leave with a clear understanding of any spots being watched, what to do at home, and when to come back.
Who should book, and how often
Most adults benefit from an annual exam. Higher-risk patients should consider every six months:
- Fair skin, light hair, light eyes
- A personal or family history of melanoma
- Significant cumulative sun exposure (lifetime, not just last summer)
- A previous skin cancer of any kind
- A high count of atypical moles
If you’ve never had a skin check, start now. If it’s been more than a year, the same.
What to look for between visits
Use the ABCDE rule monthly. Any mole that meets one or more of these criteria deserves a closer look:
- Asymmetry: one half doesn’t match the other
- Border: irregular, ragged, or notched edges
- Color: uneven, with shades of brown, black, pink, red, white, or blue
- Diameter: larger than ¼ inch (6 mm), though melanomas can be smaller
- Evolving: changing in size, shape, color, or beginning to bleed or itch
If you see anything new, changing, bleeding, or non-healing, don’t wait until your annual visit. Text the office or request an appointment.