A total-body skin cancer exam in Brooklyn, NY is a head-to-toe skin examination used to identify moles, spots, growths, and other lesions that may need monitoring or further evaluation. At Skin Glow Dermatology, Yelena Terushkin, PA-C examines areas patients can see as well as areas that are difficult to check at home, including the scalp, back, ears, feet, and between the toes.
Skin cancer screening may be especially important if you have changing or numerous moles, significant sun exposure, previous tanning-bed use, or a personal or family history of skin cancer. Insurance verification and self-pay options are available.
Screening frequency and need should be individualized. A professional skin examination may be particularly useful when you have risk factors or a lesion you cannot confidently monitor yourself.
New or evolving lesions, irregular moles, or a spot that looks different from your others deserve evaluation.
Patients with numerous moles may have more difficulty tracking individual lesions for change.
Significant cumulative sun exposure, severe sunburns, or previous tanning-bed use can be relevant to skin-cancer risk.
A personal history of skin cancer or relevant family history should be discussed when planning screening.
If your concern is one specific changing or symptomatic mole, see our mole check and mole removal service.
Your provider reviews relevant history, previous skin cancers or biopsies, family history, sun exposure, and specific lesions you want checked.
Moles, freckles, birthmarks, spots, growths, and other lesions are visually assessed across the skin.
Any lesion with concerning clinical features receives closer attention and may be compared with your other moles and spots.
Your provider explains whether a lesion can be monitored or whether biopsy, further evaluation, or treatment is appropriate.
A total-body exam is intended to evaluate the skin broadly rather than focusing on only one mole. Special attention can be given to areas that are difficult to examine on your own.
Visible and sun-exposed areas are examined for suspicious lesions and changes.
The back is especially difficult to self-monitor and may contain lesions you have not noticed.
Examination can include extremities, feet, and between the toes.
Tell your provider about any new, changing, bleeding, non-healing, painful, or otherwise concerning spot.
Make a list of lesions that are new, changing, bleeding, itching, painful, or not healing so you remember to point them out.
Tell your provider about previous skin cancers, atypical moles, biopsies, family history, medications, and allergies.
If available, prior pathology reports or clear older photographs may help document how a lesion has changed.
Bring your insurance card if you plan to use coverage for a medically necessary examination or related procedure.
The ABCDE rule is one tool used to recognize features that may deserve professional evaluation.
One half does not resemble the other half.
Edges may appear irregular, uneven, blurred, or poorly defined.
Uneven pigmentation or several colors may be present.
Diameter is one feature considered during evaluation, but smaller lesions can also be concerning.
Changes in size, shape, color, elevation, or symptoms are important to report.
A lesion that looks noticeably different from your other moles can also deserve closer evaluation.
Finding a suspicious lesion does not automatically mean skin cancer. The next step depends on the lesion’s clinical appearance, symptoms, location, history, and degree of concern.
Your provider reviews the lesion’s features and determines whether monitoring or additional testing is appropriate.
A skin biopsy may be recommended so tissue can be evaluated under a microscope. When clinically appropriate and scheduling permits, biopsy may be possible during the same visit.
If tissue is submitted for pathology, the result helps determine whether further monitoring or treatment is needed.
Learn more about melanoma evaluation and treatment and non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Skin cancer can affect people of every skin tone. Warning signs can be overlooked when patients assume darker skin cannot develop skin cancer.
Depending on the patient and concern, attention may also be given to areas such as the palms, soles, nails, and other locations where suspicious lesions may be less obvious. Tell your provider about any persistent or changing spot regardless of skin tone.
Medically necessary dermatology examinations may be covered by insurance, but coverage varies by plan, network, symptoms, risk factors, deductible, copay, and medical-necessity requirements. We do not assume that every plan covers an annual screening as a preventive benefit.
Patients without insurance can use self-pay. If a biopsy, pathology evaluation, or other procedure is recommended, those services may have separate charges.
There is no single screening interval that is appropriate for every patient. The timing of repeat examinations should be based on personal risk factors, number and type of moles, previous skin cancer or atypical lesions, family history, sun exposure, and your provider’s recommendation.
If you notice a new or changing lesion between routine visits, do not wait for the next planned examination to have it evaluated.
Skin Glow Dermatology is located at 480 Court St, Suite #103, Brooklyn, NY 11231. Schedule with Yelena Terushkin, PA-C for evaluation of moles, spots, changing lesions, and individual skin-cancer risk.
Medical Disclaimer: Total-body skin cancer examinations are screening and evaluation services and do not guarantee detection or prevention of every skin cancer. A clinical examination, biopsy when indicated, and pathology are used to establish diagnosis and guide treatment. Insurance coverage varies by plan.
Updated: October 3, 2026
