Why early detection matters
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and Alaskans are not exempt. Long summer daylight, reflective snow, and time spent outdoors year-round all add up. The good news is that when skin cancer is caught early, it is highly treatable. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma have excellent cure rates when found before they spread, and early-stage melanoma can almost always be treated successfully.
A professional skin cancer screening uses bright light and a dermatoscope to spot changes that can be hard to see on your own. A few minutes once a year can make a real difference.
Who should get screened?
If any of the following describes you, schedule a baseline skin exam. Most patients benefit from a yearly screening.
Long-time Alaska residents
Years of summer daylight and reflective snow add up. UV exposure is cumulative, and Alaska's long days and bright winters expose skin to more radiation than many people realize.
Personal or family history
If you or a close relative has had basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or melanoma, your risk is higher and routine screening is especially important.
Fair skin, many moles, or prior sunburns
Fair skin, freckling, light eyes, more than 50 moles, or a history of blistering sunburns all raise lifetime risk and warrant a baseline exam.
Outdoor workers and sports enthusiasts
Fishermen, pilots, construction crews, skiers, hikers, and hunters spend more hours in direct sun and reflected UV. A yearly skin check is a smart routine.
Warning signs to watch for
Get familiar with your skin and check it about once a month. Use a hand mirror for hard-to-see areas, or ask a partner to help with your back and scalp. Call us if you notice any of the following:
- A new mole or growth that looks different from your others
- A spot that changes in size, shape, color, or texture
- A sore that bleeds, scabs, or does not heal within a few weeks
- A pearly, waxy bump, or a flat scar-like patch
- A scaly red patch that is tender or crusty
- Itching, tenderness, or pain in a specific spot on the skin
- Any spot that follows the ABCDEs: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser, or Evolving over time
When in doubt, get it checked. Most spots are nothing to worry about, but a quick exam can give you peace of mind, and early action is what makes skin cancer so treatable.
What happens during a skin exam
A skin cancer screening is quick, comfortable, and straightforward. Here is what to expect at Advanced Dermatology of Alaska.
Medical history review
Your provider reviews your personal and family history, sun exposure, prior biopsies, and any new spots you have noticed.
Full-body skin exam
Using bright light and a dermatoscope, your provider examines your skin from scalp to soles, including areas often missed at home such as the back, scalp, and between toes.
Spot evaluation
Any concerning lesion is documented. Most spots are benign, but suspicious areas may be biopsied in the office that same day so results come back quickly.
Personalized plan
You leave with a clear plan for follow-up, sun protection, and self-monitoring, plus next steps for treatment if a biopsy confirms a skin cancer.
If a skin cancer is found
Most patients leave a screening with reassurance. If a biopsy does confirm a skin cancer, you have advanced treatment options right here in Alaska, so you do not have to travel out of state for expert care.
Mohs Surgery
The gold standard for many basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers, particularly on the face, with cure rates up to 99%.
Learn about Mohs surgeryGentleCure
A non-surgical, image-guided radiotherapy option for select basal and squamous cell carcinomas. No cutting, no stitches, minimal scarring.
Explore GentleCureWhen to call Advanced Dermatology of Alaska
Call us if you have a spot that is new, changing, or simply does not feel right. You do not need to wait for your annual exam if something concerns you. We also welcome patients who have never had a skin exam and would like to establish a baseline.
We see patients at two convenient locations, with same-week appointments often available.