Full body mole check

What to expect

A full skin check might take a couple of visits to complete. If there are slightly abnormal-looking spots, your doctor may decide to photograph them and re-photograph them after a few months. You should consider this review part of the overall check-up process.

During your first visit for a full-body skin check, this is what to expect:

• A doctor or nurse will check the details of your general medical history, overall health, medications, allergies and other medical subjects that might affect your risk of developing skin cancer and influence the tests and treatments that should be performed. You will also be asked about your skin cancer risk factors, such as a history of sunburns and solarium use and skin cancers in your family. Note: We ask that you complete a medical history form before your appointment to provide these details; this gives you time to properly consider your answers and reduces the amount of time you need to spend at the clinic filling in forms.
• Based on your medical history and risk factors, your doctor or nurse will advise you of your skin cancer risk and how often you should be checked in future.
• Before examining your skin, your doctor will leave the room so you can get undressed in private. You will need to remove all clothing and most of your jewellery. You will be able to keep wearing your underwear.  After undressing, you can wear a disposable paper gown or a dressing gown to cover up.
  The doctor will return to the room to examine you. If you would like mole mapping, otherwise known as full-body photography, this is normally done first. See the mole mapping page for information about this process. (Note: There is an extra charge for mole mapping. Mole mapping must be booked in advance; it can add 20-30 minutes to your total appointment time.)
• Next, the doctor will examine your individual spots close-up. Depending on your doctor, you might start in a sitting, standing or lying position. The doctor will systematically examine your body, looking closely at any moles, spots or lumps of interest. This examination is performed using a dermoscope – a medical instrument that lights up and magnifies your skin. The light is polarised, so it can more easily penetrate the top layer of skin, allowing the doctor to see features that would not otherwise be visible.
• Your doctor will check with you before examining your buttocks (and breasts if you are a woman). Skin cancers are unusual in these areas, so if you are more comfortable not having them checked, it’s unlikely any cancers will be missed. Skin cancers are rare on the genitals, so this is not a routine part of the examination. The doctor will examine your scalp, but bear in mind that if you have long hair, it might not be possible for them to see all the spots there.
• During the examination, the doctor will note any spots with unusual colouring, shapes or other features. Sometimes, they can identify a skin cancer just by examining it, but in most cases, they will identify relatively low-risk spots (probably not skin cancers), which should be tracked over time for any suspicious changes. The doctor or a nurse will photograph these spots using a dermoscopic camera.
• After your photos have been taken, the doctor or nurse will allow you to get dressed in private.
• The doctor will then discuss your spots and photographs. They will show you the features and digital analysis of the most interesting or suspicious ones and advise on the best follow-up. Some spots may need to be biopsied, which can often be done on the spot. Others need a complete excision procedure with stitches, and this might need to be scheduled for another appointment. Most spots will be very low risk and can be left in place. Your doctor usually recommends further photography or imaging in 3-6 months to check for any small suspicious changes in these low-risk spots.