Skin cancer screenings allow the early detection of malign skin tumours and the evaluation of a patient’s risk to develop malign skin tumours in the future. All existing skin tumours are examined during a full body examination. In doing so, all moles are being assessed and the skin is searched for precursors of malign skin tumours. The focus lies especially on malignant melanoma (“black skin cancer”), basal-cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (“fair skin cancer”). A regular performance of a screening is recommended from the age of puberty though the temporal interval between checks can be determined according to individual preferences.
The examination comprises the inspection of the entire skin including the nails as well as all visible mucosae and is being performed with the aid of a dermatoscope and a camera (video dermoscopy). This way, it is possible for the examiner to detect changes in moles in the very early stages as well as to visualise the alterations over time.
If an indication to remove a mole or a different skin tumour arises after a skin cancer screening, the removal can in most cases take place with local anaesthesia and is always made possible without long waiting periods.