The incidence of skin cancers has been steadily increasing in recent years. Among skin cancers, melanoma is the most aggressive, being associated with increased mortality in the more advanced stages of the disease. Detected in time, however, melanoma can be cured in most cases, and screening plays a major role in early diagnosis of the disease.

The complete examination of the skin by a dermatologist, respectively the dermatoscopic examination of the lesions is recommended for all people, at any age, at least annually, in order to detect a possible skin cancer.

It usually occurs in the elderly or those who have been exposed to ultraviolet radiation for a long time, but it can be found in anyone. You have an increased risk of developing skin cancer if:

-You have light skin with a predisposition to sunburn

You have a personal or family history of skin cancer

-You had sunburn as a child or even as an adult

-You have been exposed to solar radiation for a long time or have used artificial tanning devices

-You have more than 50 moles on your body surface or you have precancerous skin lesions

-You are over 50 years old

-You have undergone an organ transplant; you have been diagnosed with HIV / AIDS; take immunosuppressive drugs

The complete dermatological examination involves the evaluation of the entire skin surface from head to toe, including the more hidden or hard to reach areas such as: scalp, oral mucosa, anogenital region and interdigito-plantar region.

No special training is required before screening for skin cancer. It is generally recommended that the patient not use makeup on the day of the procedure.

The duration of the investigation varies between 30-40 minutes, depending on the number of lesions.

In addition, it is recommended to self-examine the skin and moles on a monthly basis, in order to identify in advance any changes in shape and color, following the ABCDE rule which refers to:

-Asymmetry of the mole - the shape of one half of the mole does not resemble the other

-B comes from "border" - the edges are irregular and poorly defined

-C comes from the color - the color is not uniform, the lesion having several colors

-D in diameter - lesions with large dimensions (more than 6 mm) or which have a significant increase in size

-E refers to the evolution of the lesion over time