Skin Cancer Screening in Sarasota

A yearly full-body skin exam is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself from the most common cancer in the country. It takes about 15 to 30 minutes, it does not hurt, and it can catch problems years before you would notice them yourself. For patients living in Florida, where sun exposure adds up faster than in most of the country, this exam is not optional to consider. It is a baseline part of taking care of your health.

At Sarasota IDO, our board-certified dermatologists perform thorough skin cancer screening exams for patients across the Sarasota and Bradenton area. Florida has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the United States, so we approach every full-body exam with the assumption that something may need a closer look. Our goal is to find any concerning spot when it is small, easy to treat, and highly curable.

What Is a Skin Cancer Screening?

A skin cancer screening is a systematic, head-to-toe examination of your skin performed by a board-certified dermatologist. The goal is to identify any lesions that look suspicious for skin cancer, precancer, or atypical moles, and to make a plan for anything that needs further attention.
Screening is different from a visit for a specific complaint.

When you come in for a screening, we look everywhere, including areas you rarely see or think about, such as the scalp, behind the ears, between the toes, and the soles of the feet. Skin cancer can develop anywhere, not only on obviously sun-exposed areas.

What the Exam Includes

A typical screening visit at IDO includes:

  • Medical history review — sun exposure history, prior skin cancers, family history, medications that affect skin, immune status
  • Full-body visual inspection — head to toe, including scalp, ears, neck, back, chest, arms, hands, legs, feet, and areas between fingers and toes
  • Dermatoscopy on suspicious spots — a handheld magnifier with polarized light that lets us see structures beneath the surface of the skin
  • Documentation of concerning lesions — photos or notes for spots that need to be watched over time
  • Biopsy of suspicious lesions — if a spot looks concerning and we agree together to sample it, we can usually do the biopsy the same day
  • A plan going forward — when to come back, what to watch for at home, and any next steps.

You will be asked to change into a gown so we can see all of your skin. We are respectful of privacy and modesty throughout the exam. Areas like the genitals are only examined if you request it or if there is a specific concern. Most exams take 15 to 30 minutes.

Why Annual Screenings Matter Especially in Florida

Florida consistently ranks among the states with the highest rates of skin cancer. The reasons are straightforward. UV levels are high year-round, outdoor activity is a major part of life here, and many residents moved from other parts of the country carrying a lifetime of sun exposure with them.

We see patients in Sarasota and Bradenton who spent decades boating, golfing, gardening, or working outdoors long before daily sunscreen was standard advice. That accumulated exposure quietly sets the stage for skin cancer years later. A yearly exam is how we get ahead of it.

The American Academy of Dermatology generally recommends regular skin self-checks and professional exams for anyone at elevated risk. In practice, for Florida residents, that means most adults benefit from a yearly professional exam.

When to Start Screening

There is no universal age to begin. Reasonable guidance:

  • Adults 30 and older — a baseline exam is a good idea, then yearly after that
  • Earlier if you have risk factors — family history of melanoma, many moles, fair skin with heavy sun exposure, or history of blistering childhood sunburns
  • Prior skin cancer patients — usually every 3 to 6 months for the first few years, then annually if things stay stable
  • Immunosuppressed patients — such as transplant recipients, typically every 6 months or on a schedule set by your team
  • Anyone with a spot they are worried about — do not wait for your annual visit if something is changing

If you have never had a skin exam and you live in Florida, it is worth scheduling one now regardless of your age.

How Is a Concerning Spot Diagnosed?

Finding a suspicious spot during a screening is common, and most turn out to be benign. Here is what happens next.

Dermatoscopy. We look at the spot with a dermatoscope. This tool magnifies the skin and shows patterns of pigment, blood vessels, and structure that are not visible with the naked eye. Many spots that look worrisome from a distance turn out to be reassuring under the dermatoscope, and vice versa.

Biopsy if needed. If the spot still looks suspicious, we biopsy it. This means numbing the area with a small injection and taking a sample of the lesion. The sample goes to a dermatopathology lab, and results usually come back within about a week. There are different biopsy techniques (shave, punch, or excisional), and we pick the one that gives the best diagnostic sample for that lesion.

Results discussion. We call every patient personally to review biopsy results, whether they are reassuring or point to a diagnosis that needs treatment. If treatment is needed, we schedule it and walk through options at that call or a follow-up visit.

Treatment. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment might mean surgical excision, Mohs surgery for high-risk facial cancers, a topical cream for superficial cancers or precancers, or simply monitoring. Details are on our [skin cancer care page](/services/skin-cancer-care/) and [Mohs surgery page](/services/mohs-micrographic-surgery/).

Treatment Options at Sarasota IDO

If your screening finds something that needs treatment, you do not need to hunt for another specialist. We handle the full range in-house:

  • Biopsy of suspicious lesions
  • Surgical excision of skin cancers and atypical moles
  • Mohs micrographic surgery (/services/mohs-micrographic-surgery/) for facial and high-risk sites
  • Mole removal (/services/mole-removal/) for concerning or bothersome moles
  • Treatment of actinic keratosis (/services/actinic-keratosis/), the most common precancer
  • Melanoma (/services/melanoma/) diagnosis, excision, and coordination with oncology when needed
  • Post-surgical reconstruction, including facial and eyelid reconstruction through our oculoplastic team

Self-Screening Between Visits

A professional exam once a year is important, but you see your own skin every day. A monthly self-check helps you notice changes early. Use the ABCDE method for moles:

  • A — Asymmetry. One half does not match the other.
  • B — Border. Edges are ragged, notched, or blurred.
  • C — Color. More than one color, or an uneven distribution of color.
  • D — Diameter. Larger than a pencil eraser (about 6 mm), though smaller melanomas exist.
  • E — Evolving. The spot is changing in size, shape, color, or symptoms like itching or bleeding.

Also watch for any sore that will not heal within a few weeks, a new pink or pearly bump, or a scaly patch that keeps coming back. Ask a partner to help you check your back and scalp, or use a handheld mirror.

If you find something that concerns you, do not wait for your yearly appointment. Call us.

What to Expect at Your Visit

Screening visits are relaxed. Here is the flow:

  1. Check in and complete a short intake about your sun and skin cancer history.
  2. Change into a gown in a private room.
  3. Meet Dr. Ilya Lim, MD, FAAD or Dr. Shauntell Solomon, DO for the exam. We explain what we are doing as we go.
  4. Discuss any spots we find. If we recommend a biopsy, we explain why and how, and you decide whether to proceed the same day.
  5. Get a plan for follow-up, home skin care, and self-checks.
  6. If a biopsy was done, expect a call with results within about a week.

Bring a list of medications, especially any blood thinners, and let us know about allergies to lidocaine or adhesives.
*Early detection is the most important thing we do.

Schedule Screening

Prevention and Skin Care

Screening pairs with prevention. The two together are what actually lower long-term risk.

  • Use broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day, reapplying every 2 hours when outdoors
  • Wear UPF clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-protective sunglasses
  • Seek shade during peak UV hours, roughly 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Skip tanning beds entirely
  • Do monthly self-exams using the ABCDE method
  • Keep your yearly professional skin exam on the calendar

Sun-damaged skin does not repair itself completely, but consistent protection slows new damage and gives us more time to catch changes early.

Who Should Be Screened?

You may benefit from annual (or more frequent) professional skin exams if you have any of the following:

  • Fair skin, light hair, or light eyes
  • Family history of skin cancer, especially melanoma
  • Extensive sun exposure through work, sports, or lifestyle
  • History of blistering sunburns, especially as a child or teenager
  • Immunosuppression, including organ transplant recipients and patients on certain long-term medications
  • Prior skin cancer of any type
  • Many moles, especially atypical or changing ones
  • Any history of tanning bed use
  • Age 50 and older
  • You live in Florida and have not had a full skin exam in the last year

Why Choose Sarasota IDO for Skin Cancer Screening?

Our screenings are led by board-certified dermatologists who see skin cancer every week. Dr. Ilya Lim, MD, FAAD is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and is board-certified in both Dermatology and Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery (Mohs). Dr. Shauntell J. Solomon, DO is a board-certified osteopathic dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon (Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami) who joined us from Skin and Cancer Associates in South Florida. If a screening turns up something suspicious, both providers can biopsy on the spot and, when needed, perform Mohs surgery in the same practice.

Because IDO is a combined dermatology and oculoplastic practice, patients who need surgical treatment or facial reconstruction after a skin cancer diagnosis stay within the same team. We are located at 1617 S. Tuttle Ave, 3rd Floor in Sarasota and at 5266 Office Park Suite 203 in Bradenton, giving patients across the region a convenient option.

Insurance note: skin cancer screening exams are typically covered as preventive care by most health insurance plans and by Medicare. Coverage varies by plan, so we recommend verifying with your insurer before your visit if you have questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a skin cancer screening take?

Most exams take 15 to 30 minutes, longer if you have many moles or if we do a same-day biopsy.

No. The visual exam and dermatoscopy are painless. If we do a biopsy, we use a small injection of local anesthetic that stings briefly, then the biopsy itself is not painful.

You change into a gown so we can see all areas of skin that are not typically covered by underwear. We are respectful of privacy and only look at private areas if you ask us to or if there is a specific concern.

Once a year is a reasonable baseline for adults, especially in Florida. If you have had skin cancer before, have many moles, are immunosuppressed, or have a strong family history, we usually recommend every 6 months or more often.

Most insurance plans and Medicare cover skin cancer screening as a preventive service. Some plans require it be tied to a specific diagnosis code. It is worth calling your insurer to confirm coverage before your visit.

Do not wait for a routine annual exam. Call us and we will get you in sooner. New or changing spots are worth checking now, not later.

Yes. Bringing photos or a list of specific spots to review helps us focus the exam.

We explain what we see and why it is worth a closer look. Depending on the spot, we may do a same-day biopsy, schedule one for a follow-up visit, or simply photograph and monitor it. Nothing happens without your consent.

Related Services

  • Skin Cancer Care (/services/skin-cancer-care/) — our full approach to diagnosis and treatment
  • Melanoma (/services/melanoma/) — diagnosis and treatment of the most serious skin cancer
  • Mole Removal (/services/mole-removal/) — evaluation and removal of concerning moles
  • Actinic Keratosis (/services/actinic-keratosis/) — treatment of precancerous sun-damage spots
  • Mohs Micrographic Surgery (/services/mohs-micrographic-surgery/) — precision surgery for high-risk sites

Book Your Consultation

If you have not had a full-body skin exam in the last year, or if you have a spot that is changing, itching, or refusing to heal, schedule a visit. Most new patients are seen within a few weeks at either our Sarasota or Bradenton office.

Sarasota: 1617 S. Tuttle Ave, 3rd Floor — (941) 559-8336 I Bradenton: 5266 Office Park, Suite 203 — (941) 499-0199

*This information is educational. It does not replace an in-person evaluation by a board-certified dermatologist.

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