Performance of the skin cancer screening examination

The skin cancer screening examination does not take more than fifteen minutes in the rules. First of all, a short interview with the person concerned is conducted after the patient’s medical history (anamnesis), during which the physician inquires about previous illnesses and the health condition. Possible risk factors can also be uncovered during the interview.

Before the screening, nail polish should be removed from finger and toe nails as well as piercings and earrings to facilitate the subsequent physical examination. Because even under the nails a conspicuous skin appearance can be hidden, which otherwise may remain undetected. The same applies to make-up, which should be avoided for the examination, so that the face can be examined properly.For the physical examination, clothes are taken off so that the doctor can examine the whole body with a trained eye and a bright lamp (scalp, anal region and external genitals, oral mucous membranes, lips and gums).

If conspicuous skin changes are found, a tissue sample can be taken, which is examined microscopically to confirm the diagnosis. In addition to the physical examination, the physician can also provide important information on how to deal with the sun correctly during skin cancer screening and inform about other early cancer detection and health examinations. Black skin cancer (melanoma) in particular can develop anywhere on the skin and mucous membranes, even in places that are not directly exposed to the sun.

For this reason, the gynaecologist, dentist and ophthalmologist should always be aware of any abnormalities in the inner genital area, the oral cavity or the back of the eye that might be suspicious of skin cancer. These areas are not examined by the dermatologist or family doctor. The following examinations, which are called “individual health services” (IGeL), are not covered by statutory health insurance:

Examination with an incident light microscope
The photographic documentation
The removal of benign, cosmetically disturbing moles or age-related skin irregularities (e.g. age warts).