Skin Cancer Screening

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. Each year, more than 2 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer — more than the combined incidence of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers.

Estimates indicate 1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer during their lifetime. Screening for skin cancer through self- or professional examination is extremely important for early detection and improved treatment outcomes.

Understanding your individual risk factors for skin cancer can help protect you. At Houston Methodist, we offer comprehensive consultations to help you understand your risks and take measured steps to manage and protect your health.

Skin Cancer Risk Factors

A risk factor is anything that increases your odds of developing skin cancer. It is important to be aware of any risk factors you may have for developing skin cancer and modify or eliminate those factors when possible. 

Skin Cancer Menu

Risk factors for the most common types of skin cancer include:

  • Personal or family history of skin cancer
  • Frequent or intense exposure to sunlight
  • Use of sunlamps or tanning booths
  • History of severe, blistering sunburns
  • Fair skin that sunburns easily
  • Use of certain antibiotics, hormones or antidepressants

 

Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will develop skin cancer. At the same time, having few or no risk factors does not guarantee you will not develop skin cancer.

To discuss your specific risks and prevention tactics, book an appointment with one of our specialists.

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International patients please learn more here or call 1.713.441.2340.

Risk Factors for Skin Cancer

It is important to be aware of any risk factors you may have for developing skin cancer and modify or eliminate them when possible. Keep in mind that having one or more risk factors does not mean that you will definitely get the disease, and having no risk factors does not mean that you cannot develop it.

Studies have linked several risk factors for the most common types of skin cancer:

 

  • Personal or family history of skin cancer
  • Frequent or intense exposure to sunlight
  • Use of sunlamps or tanning booths
  • History of severe, blistering sunburns
  • Having fair skin that sunburns easily
  • Use of certain antibiotics, hormones or antidepressants

 
Both you and your doctor need to be aware of any factors that could increase your risk of developing skin cancer.

Skin Cancer Self-Examination

Perform a head-to-toe self-examination once a month to detect any precancerous or cancerous lesions at an early stage.


Dermatologists recommend the following ABCDEs guidelines when self-examining moles. If a mole displays any of the signs listed below, have it checked immediately by a dermatologist.

 

  • Asymmetry — One half of the mole does not match the other half.
  • Border — The border or edges of the mole are ragged, blurred or irregular.
  • Color — The color of the mole is not the same throughout or has shades of tan, brown, black, blue, white or red.
  • Diameter — The diameter of a mole is larger than the eraser of a pencil.
  • Evolution — The mole is changing in size, shape or color.

Complete Skin Checkup

If you have a personal or family history of skin cancer, you will want to see a dermatologist once a year for a complete skin checkup. This usually takes about 15 minutes and includes a medical history review as well as a head-to-toe examination. Make sure to call your doctor’s attention to any irregular spots you may have noticed in your last monthly self-exam.
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