Skin Cancer Screening in Miami, FL
Early Detection, Backed by a Trained Eye
A full-body skin exam checks for changes and irregularities across every area, not just the spots a patient notices. Chloe Goldman, MD, FAAD, performs each skin cancer screening in Miami, FL, using dermoscopy, a handheld tool that reveals details below the surface of the skin and invisible to the naked eye.
What Happens During a Screening
A full-body skin exam covers the skin from the scalp to the soles, since skin cancer can develop anywhere, including areas patients rarely check themselves. Dr. Chloe Goldman examines existing moles and any new or changing spots using a dermatoscope, which magnifies pigment patterns and structures beneath the skin's surface. The exam itself typically takes 10 minutes, and any spot that looks concerning by gross evaluation or with dermoscopy may be flagged for a biopsy.
Who Should Get Screened, and How Often?
General guidelines recommend an annual skin check for many adults, though certain patients benefit from more frequent skin cancer screenings. Fair skin, a personal or family history of skin cancer, history of tanning bed use, prior blistering sunburns, and significant sun exposure all raise risk and warrant closer monitoring. Miami's year-round UV exposure means that even patients without other risk factors accumulate more sun damage over time. Routine screening and a higher level of vigilance is warranted in Miami given year-round outdoor activities in the Miami sun.
The 3 Main Types of Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Often appears as a sore or pimple that won’t heal after several weeks, or a shiny, slightly raised bump that may bleed easily.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Frequently shows up as a scaly, red patch or a firm, growing bump, sometimes with a rough or crusted surface.
Melanoma
While these are classic descriptions, each type of skin cancer can have varied appearances both within a single patient and between patients.
The ABCDE Rule for Self-Checks for melanoma
Between screenings, the ABCDE rule helps patients know what to watch for in their own moles: asymmetry, irregular border, uneven or multiple colors, a diameter larger than a pencil eraser, and any evolving change. Any mole meeting several of these criteria is worth having evaluated rather than watched indefinitely.
Why Screening Matters More in Miami
Miami averages around 250 sunny days a year, with UV levels reaching the very high to extreme range for much of that time. Boating, beach days, and outdoor work all contribute to that exposure, even with occasional sunscreen use, which is part of why regular screening carries extra weight for long-term Miami residents.
Due for a skin check, or have you noticed a spot that concerns you?
Schedule a skin cancer screening in Miami, FL with Dr. Chloe Goldman or one of our trusted providers at Goldman Dermatology of Miami.