Imaging
Dermatological skin check
Skin cancer screening · Full-body skin exam · Dermatoscopy
Annual full-body skin check by a dermatologist, with dermatoscopy where lesions warrant — the standard for melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer detection.
What it measures
Visual inspection of the entire skin surface by a trained dermatologist, with dermatoscopy (10× magnified imaging) of suspicious lesions. Detects melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers at early stages.
Reference context
0 guideline sources
The ABCDE rule (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolution) is the standard mnemonic for self-monitoring. A new or changing pigmented lesion warrants evaluation.
Population context — consult guideline targets below
Mechanism
Why moving this marker matters
Melanoma diagnosed at early stage has >95% 5-year survival; at advanced stage survival drops below 30%. Most melanomas are visible at the skin surface for months before they invade deeper.
How to measure
The test, where to get it, when to repeat
Method
20–30 minute appointment, full skin examination, dermatoscopy of any concerning lesions, optional biopsy in the same visit.
Where
Dermatology clinics (public or private). Some German systems include 'Hautkrebs-Screening' in the standard preventive panel.
Typical cost
Public (where offered): free for eligible cohorts (Germany: GKV from age 35 biennially). Private: €80–200.
Fasting
Not required
When to test
USPSTF 2023
Insufficient evidence for routine population screening of asymptomatic adults.
GKV-Spitzenverband (DE)
35+Biennial Hautkrebs-Screening from age 35 in Germany.
AAD 2024
Annual self-exam for everyone; clinical exam for those with risk factors (fair skin, family history, prior melanoma, immunosuppression).
Where to scan
Providers offering this imaging study
These providers offer the scan directly to consumers. You book and pay with them; the imaging report lives on their platform. Healicus is not in the clinical chain.
SkinVision
EU · UK · INTLCE-marked smartphone app for assessing skin lesions — AI risk score plus dermatologist review.
Visit SkinVision
MoleMap
UK · INTLDermatoscopic skin-mapping at clinics across the UK, Australia, and New Zealand — full-body imaging plus dermatologist review.
Visit MoleMap
Healicus is not the provider. Your contract for the service is with whoever you choose. Links labelled Sponsored are paid affiliate relationships; unlabelled links are editorial reference only. See our disclosure for the full policy.
Context
Reading the numbers
The ABCDE rule (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolution) is the standard mnemonic for self-monitoring. A new or changing pigmented lesion warrants evaluation.
Caveats
Routine screening of low-risk adults remains contested. Self-examination supplements but doesn't replace clinical exam in higher-risk patients.
Take to your physician
Worth discussing
- Whether your skin type, family history, and sun exposure make you higher-risk.
- If you find a new or changing lesion at home, the urgency of evaluation.
- Whether full-body photography would help track moles over time.
Sources
Cited literature
Edited by Carl Pöhl, MD · Healicus editorial
Last reviewed May 2026
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