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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you have a skin wound or lesion that concerns you, call your doctor. He or she may recommend that you schedule an appointment with a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions (dermatologist). In order to ensure a timely examination, be sure to mention when you make your appointment that your doctor has suggested you be evaluated for possible skin cancer.
If you've already had skin cancer, you're at significantly increased risk of a second cancer. Talk with your dermatologist about how often you should be screened for a recurrence. If you have a new wound or lesion that you suspect may be cancerous, schedule an appointment with your dermatologist as soon as possible.
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Write down your medical history, including other conditions for which you've been treated. Be sure to include any radiation therapy you may have received, even years ago.
- Note any personal history that exposed you to excessive UV light, including sunlight or tanning beds. For example, your doctor will be interested to know if you have worked as an outdoor lifeguard or spent lots of time at the beach.
- Make a list of immediate family members who have had skin cancer, to the best of your ability. Skin cancer in a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or sibling is all important history to share with your doctor.
- Make a list of your medications and natural remedies. Include any prescription or over-the-counter medications you're taking, as well as all vitamins, supplements or herbal remedies.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor. Creating your list of questions in advance can help you make the most of your time with your doctor.
- Find a family member or friend who can join you for your appointment. Although skin cancer is usually highly treatable, just hearing the word "cancer" can make it difficult for most people to focus on what the doctor says next. Take someone along who can help soak up all the information.
Below are some basic questions to ask your doctor about basal cell carcinoma. If any additional questions occur to you during your visit, don't hesitate to ask.
- Do I have skin cancer? What kind?
- How is this type of skin cancer different from other types?
- Is this type of cancer likely to spread?
- Has my cancer spread?
- What treatment approach do you recommend?
- What are the possible side effects of this treatment?
- Will I have a scar after treatment?
- Am I at risk of this condition recurring?
- Am I at risk of other types of skin cancer?
- How often will I need follow-up visits after I finish treatment?
- Are my family members at risk of skin cancer?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend visiting?
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to talk about in-depth. Your doctor may ask:
- When did you first notice this skin growth or lesion?
- Has it grown significantly since you first found it?
- Is the growth or lesion painful?
- Do you have any other growths or lesions that concern you?
- Have you had a previous skin cancer?
- Has anyone in your family had skin cancer? What kind?
- How much exposure to the sun or tanning beds did you have as a child?
- How much exposure to the sun or tanning beds do you have now?
- Are you currently taking any medications?
- Are you currently or have you previously used herbal remedies?
- Have you ever received radiation therapy for another medical condition?
- Have you ever taken medications that suppress your immune system?
- What other significant medical conditions have you been treated for, including in your childhood?
- Do you or did you smoke? How much?
- Do you now or have you ever had a job that may have exposed you to pesticides or herbicides?
- Do you now or have you ever relied on well water as your primary water source?
- Do you take precautions to stay safe in the sun, such as avoiding midday sun and using sunscreen?
- Do you examine your own skin on a regular basis?
What you can do in the meantime
In the time leading up to your appointment, talk with family members to find out whether any of your close relatives have been diagnosed or treated for skin cancer, and what kind. This will help your doctor diagnose your condition and plan the most effective treatment and follow-up care plan for you.
- Wood GS, et al. Nonmelanoma skin cancers: Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/119479231-3/0/1709/83.html?tocnode=55017273&fromURL=83.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06694-8..50078-6--cesec29_2759. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Squamous cell carcinoma. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/Publications/pamphlets/SquamousCellCarcinoma.htm. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. National Cancer Institute. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Skin cancer prevention. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/skin/Patient/page2. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Detailed guide: Skin cancer - basal and squamous cell. American Cancer Society. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Ferri F. Squamous cell carcinoma. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/119479231-4/801716560/1417/447.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04836-1..50007-1--cesec44_620. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- Urist MM, et al. Melanoma and cutaneous malignancies. In: Townsend CM, et al. Townsend: Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/119479231-5/0/1565/1.html?tocnode=54736195&fromURL=1.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3675-3..X5001-1--TOP_1. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Sunscreen. The Skin Cancer Foundation. http://www.skincancer.org/the-scfs-guide-to-sunscreens.html. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Arsenic toxicity exposure pathways. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/arsenic/exposure_pathways.html. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Ridky TW. Nonmelanoma skin cancer. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2007;57:484.
- Neoplasia. In: Kumar V, et al. Robbins and Cotran's Pathologic Basis of Disease. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/119515236-4/801835407/1249/66.html#4-u1.0-B0-7216-0187-1..50011-0--cesec92_600. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Premalignant and malignant nonmelanoma skin tumors. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 4th ed. New York, N.Y.: Mosby; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/119515236-5/0/1195/157.html?tocnode=51442435&fromURL=157.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01319-8..50023-6_2588. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Common questions about diet and cancer. American Cancer Society. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Food Groups to Encourage. In: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 6th Edition. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office; 2005. http://www.health.gov/DietaryGuidelines/dga2005/document/html/chapter5.htm. Accessed Feb 6, 2009.
