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If you have had skin cancer in the past, get an exam every six months. If you’ve never had skin cancer, you should see your dermatologist at least once a year for a skin cancer exam.
The objective of cancer screening is to detect cancer before symptoms appear, involving various methods such as blood tests, urine tests, DNA tests, and medical imaging. [1] [2] The purpose of screening is early cancer detection, to make the cancer easier to treat and extending life expectancy. [3]
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) says there’s no conclusive evidence that pre-screening for skin cancer if asymptomatic is effective—but doctors disagree.
Skin cancers result in 80,000 deaths a year as of 2010, 49,000 of which are due to melanoma and 31,000 of which are due to non-melanoma skin cancers. [74] This is up from 51,000 in 1990. [74] More than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States, which makes it the most common form of cancer in that country.
The USPSTF has changed its breast cancer screening recommendations over the years, including at what age women should begin routine screening. In 2009, the task force recommended women at average risk for developing breast cancer should be screened with mammograms every two years beginning at age 50. [ 12 ]
Medicare does not cover routine screenings for skin cancer, but it does cover appointments with a doctor, dermatologist, or other healthcare professional to diagnose unusual skin symptoms.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. [59] The most lethal form of skin cancer, melanoma, leads to over 50,000 annual deaths in the United States. [59] Childhood prevention is particularly important because a significant portion of ultraviolet radiation exposure from the sun occurs during childhood and adolescence and can ...
Medicare provides a broad range of coverage for cancer care, including skin cancer. Out-of-pocket costs may apply. Read on for more information.