When a suspicious mole or a jagged-edged spot sends you to the dermatologist, your primary focus is likely on that single area of concern. However, emerging research suggests that focusing only on the “spot of interest” could be a potentially fatal oversight. According to a new study, requesting a full-body skin check—rather than a localized exam—could be the literal difference between life and death.
The Power of the “Total Body” Approach
The study, led by Dr. Murad Alam, vice-chair of dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, highlights a startling reality: Dermatologists are twice as likely to detect skin cancer during a full-body check. Perhaps most concerning is that more than half of the skin cancers discovered during these exams were found in locations the patient hadn’t even noticed or wasn’t worried about.
“If the dermatologist did not check their entire body, these skin cancers would be missed,” says Dr. Alam. “The bottom line is everyone with a risk of skin cancer or a suspicious skin lesion should have a complete skin exam because this is the best way to find skin cancers. This practice can save many lives.”
RELATED: How Technology Is Making Skin Cancer Diagnosis Easier
Closing the Gap in Minority Healthcare
The importance of a total-body check is particularly critical for People of Color. A common misconception is that higher melanin levels provide total immunity to sun-induced damage. While melanin does offer some protection, the American Academy of Dermatology Association notes that skin cancer in Black patients is often diagnosed at a much later, more dangerous stage.
For patients with darker skin tones, skin cancer often manifests in areas that are not typically exposed to the sun, such as:
- The palms of the hands
- The soles of the feet
- Underneath the fingernails or toenails
Because these areas are frequently overlooked by both patients and providers, the cancer is often allowed to metastasize before treatment begins, making it significantly harder to manage.
RELATED: 5 Surprising Things That Increase Your Skin Cancer Risk (It’s Not Just The Sun!)
Insights from the Research
Dr. Alam’s team conducted a comprehensive review of the medical records of over 1,000 patients. Their findings, slated for publication in the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, confirm that full-body exams uncover a range of malignancies, including:
- Basal Cell Carcinoma: The most common form of skin cancer, which can be disfiguring if left untreated.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A common cancer that can spread to the lymph nodes if ignored.
- Melanoma: The most aggressive and life-threatening form of skin cancer.
Because melanoma can spread with terrifying speed, catching it early through a comprehensive exam is the gold standard for survival.
Who is at Risk?
While skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States—with roughly 5 million people diagnosed annually—certain factors increase your vulnerability. Experts recommend routine full-body exams for anyone with:
- Fair skin or a history of freckling.
- A personal or family history of skin cancer.
- Significant past sun exposure or history of blistering sunburns.
- A large number of moles (atypical nevus syndrome).
Taking Control: The Self-Exam
In between professional visits, self-vigilance is your first line of defense. When performing a self-exam, you must look beyond the “obvious” areas, such as your face and arms.
Check these often-ignored areas:
- Between the toes and the genital area.
- The scalp (use a blow dryer and a mirror to see clearly).
- Behind the ears and the back of the neck.
- The “hidden” spots: palms, soles, and even the eyes.
When to Call the Doctor
If you notice any of the following, schedule an appointment immediately and explicitly request a full-body exam:
- A – Asymmetry: One half of the spot doesn’t match the other.
- B – Border: The edges are ragged, blurred, or irregular.
- C – Color: The color is not uniform (shades of tan, brown, black, or even blue/red).
- D – Diameter: The spot is larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser).
- E – Evolving: The spot is changing in size, shape, or color, or has started to itch or bleed.
“Dermatologists need to take the opportunity to look over the patient’s entire body, even when the appointment is just for a suspicious lesion,” Dr. Alam insists. “And patients need to request one in case the doctor doesn’t suggest it.”
