If you read last month's post on hyperpigmentation, you already know the theme: Atlanta's UV index runs high for most of the year, and your skin keeps a record of every season spent outdoors. That same sun exposure is also the leading risk factor for skin cancer and Georgia consistently sees higher skin cancer rates than cooler, less sun-intensive states.

The good news is that skin cancer, when caught early, is one of the most treatable forms of cancer there is. That's the entire purpose of a skin cancer screening is catching something suspicious months or years before it becomes a more serious problem. In this post, I want to walk you through what a screening actually involves, what I'm looking for, and when you should come in.

Dr. Barnett meets with a patient at Atlanta Skin Wellness Center to discuss a skin cancer screening.

Why Atlanta Summers Make Skin Checks Essential

Georgia's climate creates the perfect conditions for cumulative sun exposure. Long warm seasons mean more months of outdoor activity, and high humidity can make people underestimate how much sun exposure they are getting, especially on cloudy or hazy days.

Even when the skin does not burn, ultraviolet radiation can still contribute to DNA damage, premature aging, precancerous lesions, and skin cancers over time. That is why prevention and screening go together. Sunscreen helps reduce risk, but screening helps identify problems that have already started to develop.

The ABCDE Rule: Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore

The ABCDE rule is a helpful way to remember some of the most common warning signs of melanoma. It is not a substitute for a professional skin exam, but it can help patients know when to schedule an appointment sooner rather than later.

The ABCDE rule can help patients recognize when a mole or spot should be evaluated by a dermatologist.

Dr. Barnett's Skin Cancer Screening & Treatment Approach

A thorough screening is simple, quick, and genuinely one of the highest-value visits you can make to a dermatologist. Here's what I recommend and how I approach it for my Atlanta patients.

1. The Annual Full-Body Skin Exam

For most adults, I recommend a full-body skin exam once a year and more often if you have a personal or family history of skin cancer, a high mole count, or significant sun exposure history. I examine the skin from scalp to soles, including areas patients often forget to check themselves, like the back, scalp, and between the toes.

2. Dermoscopy for a Closer Look

When I find a mole or lesion that needs a closer look, I use dermoscopy, a handheld magnification tool that lets me examine pigment patterns and structures beneath the skin's surface that aren't visible to the naked eye. It helps me decide, often in real time, whether something needs to be biopsied or simply monitored.

Dermoscopy allows Dr. Barnett to evaluate suspicious lesions in detail before deciding whether a biopsy is needed.

3. When a Biopsy Is Needed

If a lesion looks suspicious, the next step is a skin biopsy — a quick, in-office procedure done under local anesthesia. Depending on the lesion, I'll use a shave, punch, or excisional technique to remove some or all of it for evaluation by a dermatopathology lab. Most biopsies take just a few minutes, and results typically come back within a week to ten days.

4. Treatment Options If Skin Cancer Is Found

If a biopsy comes back positive, treatment depends on the type, size, and location of the cancer. Here's an overview of the most common approaches:

Frequently Asked Questions

This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results vary. Please consult with a board-certified dermatologist to determine the most appropriate screening and treatment plan for your specific skin concerns.