Skin cancer screening: what to know and how to get started
3 Minutes
Team Curative
Dec 12, 2025
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and early changes often cause no pain or symptoms. A quick visual skin exam with a clinician or dermatologist can help detect new or changing spots early, when treatment is most effective and easiest.
Understanding how and when to get screened can help you stay confident and proactive about your skin health.
You will learn:
What skin cancer screening is and why it matters
Who needs screening and how often
What to expect during a clinical skin exam
How Curative supports screening and helps you get started
What skin cancer screening looks for
A skin cancer screening is a painless, head-to-toe visual exam that checks for new or changing moles, spots, or lesions. Clinicians look for features that may suggest:
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Melanoma
Precancerous lesions (such as actinic keratoses)
Screenings are quick and completely non-invasive.
Who should get screened?
Clinical guidelines recommend that adults age 20 and older receive skin cancer screening as needed based on their risk, with annual checks for higher-risk individuals.
Clinicians may recommend regular skin exams if you:
Have a family or personal history of skin cancer
Have many moles or atypical moles
Have fair skin or sunburn easily
Use tanning beds or have high lifetime sun exposure
Have weakened immune function
Notice a new, growing, or changing spot
Why screening matters
Skin cancer is highly treatable when found early. Screening helps by:
Detecting suspicious moles or spots before they become dangerous
Allowing for quick removal or biopsy
Helping track changes over time
What to expect during a skin exam
You remove clothing as needed.
The clinician examines your skin from head to toe using good lighting and a dermatoscope.
They may document spots with notes or photos.
If something looks suspicious, a biopsy or follow-up may be recommended.
The exam is quick, thorough, and pain-free.
Where you can go for screening
You can receive a skin exam through:
A dermatologist
A primary care clinician
Certain specialty clinics
Curative members can search by name, specialty, or location here on our provider search tool.
How Curative supports your screening
Curative helps make preventive care simple.
With Curative, you get:
$0 cost-sharing for eligible preventive skin exams
Guidance during your Baseline Visit
Support to find providers
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a skin exam take?
Usually 10–20 minutes.
Does it hurt?
No—screening is completely visual.
What if something unusual is found?
Your clinician may recommend a biopsy or dermatology follow-up.
How do I get started through Curative?
Visit our provider search tool or contact your Care Navigator.
Skin cancer screening is a simple, effective way to protect your health. A quick exam can catch changes early. Curative supports you with $0 cost-sharing, streamlined referrals, and a preventive-first approach.
Ready to take the next step? Access our provider search tool.
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Table of Contents
What skin cancer screening looks for
Who should get screened?
Why screening matters
What to expect during a skin exam
Where you can go for screening
How Curative supports your screening
Frequently Asked Questions
