Skin Cancer Screening in Ponte Vedra Beach

Exam time 15 to 20 minutes

How often Once a year

Downtime None

Insurance Typically covered as preventive care

What is a skin cancer screening?

Short answer

A skin cancer screening, or total body skin exam, is a head-to-toe visual inspection of your skin by a board-certified dermatologist. It looks for moles, growths and spots that could be precancerous (actinic keratoses) or cancerous (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma), so they can be treated at their earliest, most treatable stage.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with more than 5 million cases diagnosed each year. When it is found early, skin cancer, including melanoma, the most serious form, is highly treatable.

Many skin cancers develop in places you cannot easily see, and subtle changes in a mole or a new spot are easy to miss. Self-checks help, but on their own they are not enough to catch dangerous lesions at their earliest stage.

Dr. Cappel uses a dermatoscope, a handheld magnifier that gives a detailed, cross-polarized view of structures beneath the skin's surface. It helps him judge whether a mole is benign or needs further investigation.

Who should be screened

Who needs a total body skin exam?

A skin check is a valuable preventive measure for everyone, whatever your skin type or sun history. It matters most if any of these apply to you.

Personal history of skin cancer

A previous melanoma, basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma raises your risk of another.
Family history of melanoma

A parent, sibling or child with a history of melanoma doubles your own risk.
Fair skin, light eyes or hair

Skin that burns easily or freckles, blue or green eyes, and red or blond hair.
History of sunburns

One or more blistering sunburns, especially in childhood or adolescence.
Weakened immune system

From a medical condition or from immunosuppressive medication, such as after an organ transplant.
Many moles, or one that is changing

A large number of moles, a new or changing mole, or a sore that does not heal.

A woman with long gray hair resting her hand against her cheek

What does Dr. Cappel look for?

The exam looks for anything that could be precancerous or cancerous. Actinic keratoses are rough, scaly patches on sun-exposed skin and the earliest stage of some skin cancers. Basal cell carcinoma often looks like a pink or pearly bump or a sore that heals and reopens. Squamous cell carcinoma can be a firm red bump or a scaly patch. Melanoma often develops in an existing mole or appears as a new, dark spot.

Between visits, check your own skin using the ABCDEs of melanoma, and bring anything new or changing to your appointment.

Asymmetry: one half does not match the other
Border: an irregular or poorly defined edge
Color: more than one color, or color that is not uniform
Diameter: larger than 6 mm, about the size of a pencil eraser
Evolving: changing in size, shape or color

Why have a professional skin check every year?

Early detection is the single most important benefit, and it dramatically improves outcomes, especially for melanoma. When caught early, most skin cancers have a cure rate of over 95%.

Peace of mind: reassurance that any concerning spot has been evaluated by an expert
A baseline: your first exam makes new or changing lesions easier to spot at every exam after it
Mole monitoring: tracking moles over time to catch subtle but significant changes
Sun protection advice: personal guidance to reduce your risk of future skin cancers

A woman with clear skin photographed in close-up against a green background

What happens if a spot looks suspicious?

If Dr. Cappel finds a suspicious lesion, he can often biopsy it during the same visit. The area is numbed with a local anesthetic and a small sample is taken. It is quick and causes minimal discomfort, and results are typically available within 1 to 2 weeks.

Because Dr. Cappel is also a dermatopathologist, he personally reviews the pathology to confirm the diagnosis, then talks you through the result and any treatment you need.

If the biopsy confirms skin cancer or a precancerous lesion, see skin cancer treatment.
If a growth is benign but bothers you, see mole and skin tag removal.

Your skin exam

What to expect at your skin check

01
Consultation

Dr. Cappel reviews your medical history, your risk factors for skin cancer and any spots you are worried about.
02
Preparation

Do a quick self-check beforehand so you can point out anything new or changing. Remove makeup and nail polish before your visit.
03
The exam

You change into a medical gown for a 15 to 20 minute head-to-toe inspection, with a dermatoscope for any suspicious lesion.
04
Biopsy, if needed

A suspicious spot can be biopsied the same day under local anesthetic. It is quick and causes minimal discomfort.
05
After the exam

There is no downtime. If you had a biopsy, you receive care instructions, and results typically arrive within 1 to 2 weeks.
06
Your next check

Annual exams for most adults, or every 3 to 6 months if you have a history of skin cancer or other risk factors.

Suitability

Is a skin cancer screening right for you?

A good fit if

You are an adult who has not had a professional skin check in the past year
You have a personal or family history of skin cancer
You have fair skin, many moles or a history of sunburns
You have noticed a new or changing mole, or a sore that does not heal
You want a baseline exam so future changes are easier to track

Not the right treatment if

You have already been diagnosed with skin cancer and need treatment
You know a growth is benign and simply want it removed
Your main concern is a rash, acne or another skin condition

See skin cancer treatment, mole and skin tag removal or our full list of medical dermatology services.

Cost

Is a skin cancer screening covered by insurance?

Pricing

In most cases, yes. Total body skin exams are considered a preventive health service and are typically covered by insurance. We accept Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida and Medicare for medical visits.

Our team will help verify your coverage and answer insurance questions before your visit. Cost and payment options

Who performs this

Dr. Mark A. Cappel, MD

Double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist

Dr. Cappel performs every total body skin exam himself, using a dermatoscope to look closely at any suspicious spot. As a board-certified dermatopathologist, he is also expert at interpreting biopsy tissue under the microscope.

Read full profile

Questions

Questions about Skin Cancer Screening

Once a year for most adults, as the American Academy of Dermatology recommends. If you have a personal or family history of skin cancer or other risk factors, Dr. Cappel may recommend checks every 3 to 6 months.

No. The exam is a completely painless visual inspection. If a biopsy is needed, it is done under local anesthesia for your comfort.

Yes. A thorough exam requires a full-body inspection. You will be given a medical gown, and Dr. Cappel conducts the exam with the utmost professionalism and respect for your privacy.

Use the ABCDEs of melanoma: Asymmetry, irregular Border, uneven Color, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser, and Evolving or changing moles. Also look for new bumps, scaly patches and sores that do not heal.

In most cases, yes. Total body skin exams are considered a preventive health service and are typically covered. We accept Aetna, BCBS of Florida and Medicare, and our team will help verify your coverage.

To a large extent, yes. Seek shade, wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen every day, even when it is cloudy, and avoid tanning beds.

Where