Each year, I write a post reminding everyone to get their skin checked. Why? Because skin cancer rates are higher than ever before and younger and younger women and men are being affected. Research suggests that people who start using tanning beds under the age of 35 increase their risk of malignant melanoma (skin cancer) by 75 percent.
75 percent isn’t a number you can ignore. Many of you may remember that I worked at a tanning salon at the end of high school and during college. I used to tan…a lot. I’m not proud of it—in fact, I’m ashamed of it. Not only ashamed that I used tanning beds, but ashamed that I told patrons it was good for them because of my training (back then, there weren’t such rigorous studies and we were told how great it was to get vitamin D—and how adequate vitamin D levels actually prevented some cancers).
The reality is that most young Americans don’t think about skin cancer. It’s not even something on most people’s to-do list to have their skin checked each year at the dermatologist. If you’ve never had skin problems, you’ve probably never even seen a dermatologist.
But I’m here to ask you—to beg you—to consider having your skin checked once a year. I go twice a year because I’ve been classified as a high-risk patient due to my skin history and tanning bed use, but most people only need to go once a year.
While my mom was in town visiting, I went and had my skin checked at my dermatologist and had two moles biopsied. One was on my back, the other on my inner left ankle. I got a call about a week later that my results came back abnormal on both moles and that the one on my back would need to be surgically removed.
My dermatologist told me that when skin biopsy results come back as “abnormal” it means that the biopsy contained abnormal cells classified as either mild, moderate or severe. It doesn’t mean that the moles are cancerous (they’re benign)—it means that they are at a higher risk of developing into melanoma over time—however, they also may never develop into melanoma, but that’s not a risk anyone should take.
The mole on my back was classified as “moderate” and the one on my ankle as “mild.” I had both removed for peace of mind (I was only scheduled to have the one on my back removed). I was shocked when I took off my dressing 24 hours later to see just how large of an area was removed. I had gotten punch biopsies before and you can barely tell once they’ve healed, but this is going to be an actual scar. But I’d ather have scars all over my body than the alternative.
I thought I’d share below some commonly asked questions about getting skin checks so some of you who have never been will know what to expect:
What can I expect during a skin check?
You will be asked to undress completely and wear one of those paper gowns. Then, the doctor will examine you from head-to-toe, and mark down any moles that are of concern and some that he or she wants to “watch” or monitor for growth/change. If there are some moles that the doctor feels should be biopsied, you will be given a local anesthetic with a needle to the area and will receive either a shave or punch biopsy. Your samples will then be sent to a lab for analysis. Most of the time, results come back benign.
How much does it cost?
If you have health insurance, a dermatologist is considered a specialist, so you would pay the co-pay listed on your insurance card under “specialist.”
What was the surgery like?
If you need to have moles removed, like I did, you get a local anesthetic via a needle to the affected area(s) and then the dermatologist will perform a brief surgery that involves removing the mole to the margins recommended by the pathologists who examined the mole for abnormalities.
Does the surgery hurt?
It does not hurt. You may feel slight discomfort in the area 12-24 hours later.
Why is it important to have your skin checked once per year?
Because moles can change and mutate over time and because melanoma, when caught early is very treatable. Late-stage melanoma can be difficult to treat, though there are some promising studies emerging about a drug being used to treat late-stage melanoma patients with good success rates.
How can I know if I have moles that may be cancerous/of concern?
The best thing you can do is to monitor your skin and become aware of any changes or irregularities in your moles. Here are some charts of the “ABCD’s” of moles:
Domesticable says
What a great post! Thanks for using your platform to spread the word!
Lura
[email protected] says
Thank you! I truly feel it's my responsibility to create awareness since I worked for such a horrible industry for several years. I hope tanning beds become obsolete.
Jenny says
Hear! Hear! Thanks for these posts 🙂 People need to be aware and you were the one who got me to stop using tanning beds, actually 🙂
[email protected] says
Really? That makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside 🙂
Toddler Days in Portland! says
THANK YOU, ThANK YOU for this post! We still live in a world where tanning salons are practically at every corner screaming that we need a tan all year long to look healthy, skinny, stylish, beautiful, etc. We as a society need to treat these salons the same way we treat cigarettes and the people who still smoke-as outliers.
I also had a mole removed that was abnormal. So scary and such a reality check! I hate going to the dermatologist new because I'm scared that someday I wont be so lucky…
Keep up your outreach! You've got a platform-thank you for using it!
Carrie Pope says
Thanks Veronika! Skin cancer runs in my family and the past few years I always make an appointment to get checked. I should have already done it this year, but with the recent birth of my 2nd daughter, life has been a little crazy. So THANK YOU for reminding me, I'm going to pick up the phone and make my appointment now! 🙂
Carrie Pope says
Thanks Veronika! Skin cancer runs in my family and the past few years I always make an appointment to get checked. I should have already done it this year, but with the recent birth of my 2nd daughter, life has been a little crazy. So THANK YOU for reminding me, I'm going to pick up the phone and make my appointment now! 🙂
Rachel says
Great post. Thanks for sharing your personal story! Hopefully your readers will take it to heart! I had a mole removed from my face last month for a biopsy…thankfully it came back normal! You can never be too careful when it comes to getting your skin checked!
Sarah Egan says
Thank you for posting this Veronika! I am 30 years old, mommy to a 3.5 year old girl and a 5.5 month old boy. Last October I had an invasive melanoma removed from the back of my calf while 22 weeks pregnant. I wasn't a regular tanning bed user, but had used them a time or two, plus I can never remember not spending a summer outside. Because my melanoma was caught early, it was small, easily removed, and had not spread to any other organs. I go every 3 months to see my dermatologist and my surgeon for check ups and have 1 more before I can jump to an appointment every 6 months! I CANNOT stress enough how important it is to get checked out. Even if you think it is nothing, it is better to find that out than to worry about it! Thanks again for creating awareness for skin cancer!
Gra says
Thank you for this informational post 🙂
Sarah Egan says
Thank you Veronika for this post! I am a 30 year old mommy to a 3.5 year old girl and 5.5 month old baby boy. Last October I had an invasive melanoma surgically removed while 22 weeks pregnant from the back of my calf. I was not a regular tanner, but had gone a time or two, but I can never remember a summer where I wasn't outside. I am so lucky that my melanoma was detected early because it had not spread to my organs and I now have only a 5% chance of reoccurrence. I visit both my surgeon and dermatologist every 3 months for routine check ups and blood work and so far so good. Early detection is key. I CANNOT stress enough to everyone to visit their dermatologists and get checked out! Thanks again for creating awareness!
Kristin Eveland says
I am looking at dermatologists in my area to schedule my first visit to have my whole body checked. I used to burn quite a bit when I was a kid (still would if I didnt use sunscreen), and I am anxious to get checked out. I am a little nervous too! Thanks for this post!
Kristin Eveland says
Thanks for this post! I am in the process of trying to schedule a dermatologist appointment so I can have my first "all over body" check. I used to burn all the time as a kid and teen (didn't use sunscreen, ugh!), so I am anxious to get checked out. A bit nervous too!
Zach and Mere says
Thank you for writing such an educational post about skin cancer. I have had "abnormal" moles removed annually (sometimes more frequently) since I was 17. While I never used a tanning bed, I was a swimmer for my entire childhood and frequently went without sunscreen. Just last year at 26 years old, I was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma on my face and subsequently had a portion of my chin removed. While I am self conscious of my scars (I have over 20 all over my body now), I am lucky to have caught them so early. It is important for women to get skin checks annually so that skin cancer does not turn into a fatal situation. Thank you again for your attention to such important topics!!!
Kaitlin Wolcott says
Thank you for sharing something so personal and using your blog to reach out on this topic. I come from a very fair-skinned family and my mom recently had a basal cell removed so this hits close to home. We get so many mixed messages on this topic – even though the research is clear, bronzed and beautiful celebrities are everywhere making it easy to think "well everyone tans" and "skin cancer won't happen to me". Thanks for being brave enough to share the picture of your stitches – it's a powerful reminder that tanning is not worth it in the long run.
Stacy says
I love that you posted this! In college I had a friend pass away from melanoma. She had a mole that started bleeding and waited too long to get it checked. By the time she went to the doctor it was too late. She passed away 6 months later. Her family has set up Mollie's Fund to bring awareness to skin cancer and it has received national attention.
https://molliesfund.org/
If anything, please get checked once a year, watch your moles for changes and, I am just as guilty, please do not use tanning beds!!!
Paige says
Hi Veronika! I am another huge advocate for yearly skin checks. I've always had alot of moles and have gone yearly since 2nd grade. I've had a bunch removed and in 2004 I had melanoma. Luckiy it was the first stage so I just had to go get extra skin in the area taken by a plastic surgeon. But since then I've gone every 6 months for a check. I'm super fair skinned, and I, too laid out in the sun alot as a teenager wearing SPF 8 or even 4. Ugh! Terrible! Glad your's were ok!
Maria says
Veronika,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting about this! I'm actually getting three moles removed tomorrow morning as a precaution; they're not precancerous, but they definitely have changed over time, and I'd rather be safe than sorry. Posts like this will encourage women to be proactive about their skin health, and that is so, so important. Just another reason why I love your blog so much. 🙂
~ Maria ~
Amanda Woodward says
Like other people have said, thank you for this post! A friend introduced me to your blog and I've loved keeping up with your pregnancy and baby Harper (i'm 24 weeks pregnant)! I've also loved seeing Houston restaurant and shopping recommendations. My husband and I visit Houston several times a year to go to MD Anderson Cancer Center. I'm a 4 year stage 3 melanoma survivor who is a big believer in retail therapy 😉 Again ladies, keep up with your dermatology appointments and never hesitate to be seen if/when you find a spot that you think just doesn't look right. You can also make sure your daily body and face moisturizer has SPF, a simple change can go a long way! Another little trick is to have your spouse/significant other keep an eye on those hard to see places. My doctors and I have my husband monitor my back and scalp for any changes. Thanks again Veronika!
[email protected] says
So glad your treatment was successful! Thank you for sharing your story,
-V
Veronica says
Thank you for this post Veronika! It is so important that we are aware of the danger of skin cancer. No need to use a tanning bed even – playing on the beach for hours as kids typically do is often enough to do considerable harm. I only say this because I am talking of experience – had a malign melanoma when I was twelve. The biggest danger with skin cancer is not even skin cancer itself, but that it is the type of cancer that spreads the quickest of all to other parts of your body. And if ever a mole bleeds please absolutely go to see a dermatologist asap and tell them that it has been bleeding!!!
katiebluebird says
Thank you SO much for the reminder!
Andee Layne says
what a great post hun! Im sure so many people out there will benefit from this! xo
Meg O. says
And that was definitely a reminder to make my appointment! I had a pretty bad spot cut off a few years ago and stuff like this runs in my family. Glad they caught those spots early!
Ellie says
Thank you so much for caring enough to remind us! You're so right–I barely ever think about skin cancer and I've never had an examination, but I'm sure it's the wisest thing we can do for our skin particularly because of how the environment is changing.
Sarah says
This is a wonderful post. I was actually just thinking the other day that perhaps I should go see a dermatologist. The last time I went was back in my teens related to acne. I think I should pay a visit for all your reasons listed above.
Joann says
I don't usually comment even though I love your posts about baby Harper. But I just wanted to say thank you for informing your readers about the dangers of skin cancer, and more importantly – letting us all know what to look out for. I don't go tanning, but I do appreciate you taking your time to bring this to our attention!
Browsing through my Feedly today wasn't all about fashion, food or babies!
[email protected] says
Thanks for your comment Joann! 🙂
Alex Gens says
Thanks for this post. My mom recently had two moles removed on her back that were abnormal. It's so important for people to get skin checks!
XO Alex
https://www.bronzedsundaze.com
Amber says
Thank you for doing this! I too used to be an avid tanner..probably obsessed with it. Now, I look back and I just cannot believe what I was doing. There were times I didn't even look good because I was just so dark it was abnormal looking on me. I'm sunless all the way now. And I have a few spots I check as well. Once again, thank you for this! <3 Amber
thepetitepelican says
Amazing post Veronika!! I also worked for a tanning salon and tanned off and on for years. I am ashamed I abused my skin and encouraged others to do so well. Regular skin checks from a dermatologist are so very important. Thanks for sharing your experience!
NatalieW. says
What a great reminder, Veronika! I am also guilty of using tanning beds in the past and am so glad to hear of the regulations finally being put upon them, which should have happened long ago! I'm a newly graduated nurse practitioner and admit that after some of the things I've seen/learned in my training I'm going to avoid the sun as much as I can, and get better about slathering on the sunscreen daily. Thanks for being so honest and sharing your story!
Anna says
I had my skin checked this year for the first time in about 3 years and had to get 3 moles removed. I checked them regularly and they didn't seem abnormal. So yes guys, please make this trip to the doctor!
Cat says
Long time lurker, first time commenter, melanoma in situ (6 years clear now) here! Veronika, I have come to know your blog as the bible for all things fashion, home décor, hair, and now baby…but I have to say, you knocked it out of the park with this post. It is so so important to stay out of the sun as much as possible, wear sunscreen, and have frequent dermatologist skin checks. I learned my lesson the hard way, and at 24 years old with my first melanoma removed, I became passionate about sunscreen application and proper sun exposure. Sometime its hard as a young person to look at the bigger picture when it seems like you are the only person without a golden glow, but trust me, it will be worth it! I tell my fiancée (as I sit by the pool underneath a giant umbrella, slathered in spf 100, and an enormous hat), that he gets to look forward to me being the hottest beyotch in the nursing home! 🙂
Pale is the new tan, anyway!
Thanks for using your platform to spread this important message. Your family is beautiful, and keep up the great work!
Traci says
Such a great post. I was a tanner too. People kept telling us it was better than the sun. sigh. I have my skin checked & have several moles biopsied & 2 surgically removed. Not fun but of course better than the alternative. The scars are much worse than I expected as well.
Crystal {MissCrystalMakeup} says
I've had three skin caners removed. Your back looks all too familiar to me. I preach to others all the time about getting their skin checked. I think it's great that you wrote this post with the picture. I don't think people get it until they see something like that. 🙂
xo Crystal
Sara says
I love your passion for this topic. I want to get my skin checked since I also used tanning beds in high school/college, but I'm very embarrassed to just lie there naked while a doctor looks me over. I just had a c-section and my body looks super embarrassing. Any advice?
[email protected] says
My advice is to realize that the doctor has seen far, far worse and doesn't at all care and isn't focused on what your body looks like other than looking for suspicious moles.
I know it's hard because you're not feeling comfortable right now with your body but don't let that prevent you from seeking extremely important medical and preventative care.
Cara says
This is a really great post! I just wanted to stress the importance of the E for evolving. My mom had a mole that my dad thought looked a little different, but it had none of the other warning signs, just looked like a regular mole. She went to her dermatologist who told her it wasn't a problem, but she biopsied it anyway, and it was melanoma. She caught it early and is fine, but definitely keep an eye out for any changes!
Gregory Willard says
Thank you for this great look into skin checks. I had no idea that if the doctor sees something they want biopsied, they will take a sample and send it off. I had a friend that would always go out in the sun, and I think he would benefit from having his skin checked.