Skin cancer screening
Early detection of skin cancer is the best way to achieve the best outcome. Detecting skin cancer early through screening means it can usually be treated with less invasive procedures.
Regular screening is recommended for individuals with a higher risk of developing skin cancer, such as those with fair skin, excessive sun exposure, lots of moles, a history of sunburns, a personal or family history of skin cancer, or on medications which weaken the immune system.
1. Visual inspection: A general skin examination is undertaken by your consultant who is highly skilled in identifying suspicious growths or moles.
2. Dermoscopy: A dermatoscope is a handheld device that uses magnification and light to examine the skin in more detail. It helps to identify subtle signs of skin cancer that may not be visible to the naked eye.
- Assesses moles and skin lesions in detail
- Non-invasive
- Effective skin cancer diagnosis tool
3. Mole mapping: If you have a large number of moles, or have moles which look unusual, have had skin cancer or have a family history of skin cancer, mole mapping may be recommended.
At Belfast Skin Clinic, we have Northern Ireland’s only private full-body mole scanner. This allows us to not only assess deeper structures within your skin that aren’t visible to the naked eye but also map and monitor your moles for any changes over time.
- State-of-the-art full-body mole scanner
- Detects changes in deeper skin structures
- Repeat mole monitoring assists with the early detection of skin cancer
4. Biopsy: If any suspicious areas are found, a biopsy may be required. This involves removing a small sample of the skin, after numbing it first with an injection of local anaesthetic. The tissue removed is sent to a pathology laboratory for examination under a microscope to determine if it is cancerous.
- Performed using local anaesthetic
- Return home the same day
- Accurate results with a personalised treatment plan
5. Excision: Your consultant may decide to have the whole lesion removed (excised) and sent for pathology.
6. Imaging techniques: In some cases scans such as ultrasound are required to give more information about the nature and depth of a growth.
Duration: The duration of your skin cancer screening will depend on the amount of sun damage and number of moles you have. Cost: from £280 for consultation, from £220 for mole mapping
Request a callback or make an online enquiry for more information
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