Skin Cancer Screening in Atlanta, GAScalp-to-Toe Exams With Mole Mapping and Same-Visit Biopsy

Exam Time:
About 15-20 minutes
Downtime:
None, minimal after biopsy
How Often:
Yearly or as advised
Biopsy:
Same visit when needed
Dermatologist performing a skin cancer screening with a dermatoscope on a patient at SOCAH Center in Atlanta, GA

Early Detection

Skin cancer screening in Atlanta, GA is a full-body exam by a board-certified dermatologist to find skin cancer early, when treatment is simplest. At SOCAH Center, unusual spots get dermoscopy and, when needed, a same-visit biopsy.

Every screening at SOCAH Center is performed by Dr. Nikki D. Hill, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology who served as chief resident during her dermatology training at the University of Texas at Houston-MD Anderson Cancer Center. As a hair loss expert, she checks the scalp section by section, where skin cancer is easy to miss at home. Screening is part of our medical dermatology care in Atlanta, so a suspicious finding moves straight into diagnosis and a treatment plan in the same office.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikki D. Hill, MD, FAAD. Last updated: October 2026.

Patient pointing to a mole on her shoulder during a skin cancer check consultation at SOCAH Center in Atlanta, GA

Why Screen

Why a Skin Cancer Screening Matters

Find it early, treat it simply

Most people never see large parts of their own skin: the scalp, the back, the backs of the legs, the soles and the skin under the nails. A new spot can grow for months unnoticed, and many people assume skin cancer only follows sunburns or only affects fair skin. That belief delays care. A dark nail streak, a sore that will not heal or a rough patch on an old scar can look harmless until it has had time to grow deeper.

A dermatologist screening closes those gaps. Good lighting, a trained eye and dermoscopy reveal patterns invisible without magnification, and mole mapping gives each watched spot a baseline for next time. When something looks suspicious, a same-visit biopsy answers the question quickly instead of leaving you to wonder. Early skin cancers are typically treated with a simple in-office procedure, and you leave with a plan.

Understanding the Exam

What Is a Skin Cancer Screening?

A head-to-toe look with dermoscopy

A skin cancer screening is a full-body exam for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma and precancers such as actinic keratoses. It is a clinical exam, not a drug or device, so FDA approval does not apply. The American Academy of Dermatology urges prompt checks of new or changing spots.

Dr. Hill works from scalp to soles, looking for the ABCDE signs of melanoma and the mole that differs from its neighbors. Dermoscopy, a lighted magnifier, shows patterns beneath the surface, and mole mapping photos let each follow-up compare spots with their baseline.

Treatment Timeline:

Exam Time:
15-20 minutes
Recovery:
None after the exam
Biopsy Results:
Typically 1-2 weeks
Next Screening:
Yearly or as advised

What We Look For

What a Skin Cancer Check Can Find

Six findings we screen for

Melanoma
Changing or unusual moles, including on palms, soles and nails
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Pearly or pigmented bumps and sores that do not heal
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Scaly patches or firm bumps, including on scars and legs
Actinic Keratoses
Rough precancerous spots treated before they can progress
Atypical Moles
Irregular moles tracked through mole mapping over time
Nail and Scalp Changes
Dark nail streaks and scalp spots that are easy to miss at home

Benefits of a Professional Skin Check

Clarity and peace of mind

Earlier DetectionEarly cancers need only a simple procedureFull-Body CheckScalp, nails, palms, soles and toes checkedOne-Visit AnswersSame-visit biopsy for suspicious spotsMole MappingEach visit compares moles with their historyPersonal Risk PlanInterval set by history, skin and family risk

Skin Cancer Screening vs Other Skin Checks

Self-exams, apps and primary care checks each have a role. Here is how they compare with a dermatology screening.

OptionWho Performs ItAreas CoveredDermoscopyTimeBiopsy AvailableBest For
Dermatologist Skin Cancer ScreeningDermatologistScalp to toes, nails, solesYes15-20 minYes, same visitEveryone, especially higher risk
Monthly Self Skin ExamYou or a partnerWhat you can seeNo10 minNoSpotting change between visits
Primary Care Skin CheckPrimary care clinicianMostly exposed skinSometimesA few minOften by referralRoutine checkups
Mole-Checking AppsPhone softwareSpots you photographNoMinutesNoReminders, not diagnosis
Total Body PhotographyImaging centersWhole body photosOften30-60 minNot by itselfMany atypical moles

Who Should Be Screened

Who Should Get a Skin Cancer Screening?

Every skin tone, every age group

Anyone can develop skin cancer, so a baseline screening suits most adults, and any new, changing or nonhealing spot deserves a prompt visit.

Ideal Candidates for Skin Cancer Screening

  • Adults who have never had a full-body skin exam
  • Anyone with a personal or family history of skin cancer or melanoma
  • People with many moles, atypical moles or a mole that is changing
  • Those with past blistering sunburns, tanning bed use or immune-suppressing medicines
  • Anyone with a dark nail streak, a new spot on a palm or sole, or a sore on a scar

Who Should Wait or Avoid Skin Cancer Screening

  • No one needs to avoid the noninvasive exam itself
  • A biopsy may be postponed if the area has an active infection
  • Tell us about blood thinners before a biopsy, and never stop them without your prescriber

Skin Cancer in Every Skin Tone

Acral Melanoma Awareness

Acral lentiginous melanoma grows on the palms, soles and under the nails. It is not driven by sun, and it is the most common melanoma type in deeper skin tones, although anyone can develop it. Watch for a new or changing dark spot on a palm or sole, a nail streak that widens or darkens, or pigment spreading onto the skin around a nail. Dr. Hill checks these areas at every screening, so please remove nail polish before your exam.

If a benign growth bothers you, ask about mole removal in Atlanta, skin tag removal or treatment for sun and age spots.

Dermatologist examining the sole of a patient foot for acral melanoma during skin cancer screening at SOCAH Center, Atlanta

Your Visit

Your Skin Cancer Screening, Step by Step

What happens in the exam room

  1. Health History

    Dr. Hill reviews your sun history, past biopsies, family history and any spot that worries you.

  2. Scalp-to-Toe Exam

    In a gown, you are examined from scalp to soles, including the ears, nails, palms and between the toes.

  3. Dermoscopy

    Dr. Hill views unusual spots with a lighted dermatoscope to see pigment and vessel patterns below the surface.

  4. Mole Mapping

    Moles worth watching are photographed and charted so future screenings compare each one to its baseline.

  5. Same-Visit Biopsy

    If a spot needs testing, Dr. Hill numbs it and takes a small sample, then explains the next steps.

Is Skin Cancer Screening Safe?

The screening itself is noninvasive and painless, with no recovery time. Any risk comes from a biopsy, a minor procedure done under local anesthesia.

Common Effects After a Biopsy

After a biopsy, expect mild tenderness, a small scab and some pinkness for a week or two.

Less Common Effects

Less common effects include bleeding, infection, a lighter or darker mark at the site and, in people prone to them, a raised scar. If you form keloids, tell us, and know that keloid treatment is available if one forms.

When to Call Us and Daily Protection

Call the office if the site becomes increasingly red, warm, swollen or draining. The MedlinePlus guide to skin lesion biopsy explains the procedure, and the FDA sun safety tips cover daily protection between screenings.

Cost

Skin Cancer Screening Cost in Atlanta

Insurance, payment and financing

How Much Does Skin Cancer Screening Cost in Atlanta?

Cost depends on your insurance plan, whether the visit is preventive or focused on a specific spot, and whether a biopsy is needed. Pathology is billed separately by the laboratory. Exact pricing is discussed at your consultation, before any procedure.

Insurance and Skin Cancer Screening

Skin exams and medically necessary biopsies are often covered by insurance, subject to your deductible and copay. Review our accepted insurance plans and ask your plan how it covers screening. Self-pay patients are welcome.

Financing and Payment Options

For deductibles and self-pay visits, SOCAH Center offers CareCredit and Cherry. See our payment and financing options.

Why Choose SOCAH Center for Skin Cancer Screening in Atlanta, GA

Board-certified care in Northlake

Dr. Hill brings the discipline of her training at MD Anderson Cancer Center to every screening. Because the practice keeps a smaller patient load, visits are unhurried, with time to examine every area and to answer every question before you leave.

Book Appointment

  • Board-Certified Dermatologist

    Exams by Dr. Hill, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology

  • Every Skin Tone Examined

    Trained to recognize how skin cancer appears across all skin tones

  • Scalp Expertise

    A hair loss specialist who parts and checks the scalp section by section

  • Diagnosis to Treatment

    Biopsy, removal and follow-up planning under one roof in Atlanta

  • Unhurried Exams

    A smaller patient load means time to examine every area and answer every question

  • MD Anderson Training

    Chief resident training at MD Anderson Cancer Center shapes every screening

Collage of related dermatology treatments including mole removal and skin tag removal offered at SOCAH Center, Atlanta

Related Treatment

Skin Tag Removal

Fast, precise removal of skin tags by a dermatology team, with care for every skin tone.

  1. One Short Visit
  2. Minimal Scarring
  3. Accurate Diagnosis
Learn More

Skin Cancer Screening FAQs

How much does a skin cancer screening cost?
Your cost depends mainly on your insurance coverage and on whether a biopsy is needed. Many plans cover skin exams, especially when a spot is new or changing, while pathology is billed by the laboratory. We confirm what applies to you before any procedure, and CareCredit and Cherry financing are available for deductibles or self-pay visits.
How long does a full body skin exam take?
A full body skin exam usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Allow extra time if a biopsy is needed or if you have many moles to map. Arriving with clean skin, no makeup and no nail polish lets Dr. Hill see every area clearly and keeps the visit efficient.
Does a skin cancer screening hurt?
No, the screening itself is painless. It is a visual exam with a lighted magnifier and gentle handling of the skin. If a biopsy is needed, a small injection of local anesthetic causes a brief sting, and most patients feel only pressure after that. Mild tenderness at the site for a day or two is typical.
How soon will I get my biopsy results?
Most biopsy results return within one to two weeks. A pathologist examines the sample, and we contact you with the findings. Benign results need no further action. If skin cancer is confirmed, Dr. Hill explains the type and depth and builds a treatment plan, often a simple in-office excision, and coordinates any referral to a Mohs surgeon or oncologist.
How often should I get a skin cancer check?
Most adults do well with a yearly skin cancer check, though your ideal interval depends on your risk. People with a history of melanoma, many atypical moles or a weakened immune system may need visits every three to six months, while lower-risk patients may be seen less often. Dr. Hill sets your schedule at your first visit.
Is a dermatologist screening better than checking my own skin?
The two work best together. Monthly self-exams help you notice change between visits, but a dermatologist sees areas you cannot, such as your scalp and back, and uses dermoscopy to judge spots that look alike to the naked eye. A professional screening also allows a same-visit biopsy when a spot needs testing.
Can people with deeper skin tones get skin cancer?
Yes, skin cancer occurs in every skin tone. Skin cancer in skin of color is less common but is more often diagnosed late, and it may appear on the palms, soles, nails, legs or old scars rather than on sun-exposed areas. Acral melanoma is not caused by sun, so screening matters even if you rarely burn.
What is mole mapping?
Mole mapping is a way of documenting your moles so changes can be measured over time. Dr. Hill photographs and charts moles that merit watching, often with magnified dermoscopic images, and compares them at each follow-up. A mole that grows or changes is evaluated or biopsied, while stable moles can be left alone, which avoids unnecessary removals.
Should men, teens and children be screened?
Yes, when there is a reason to. Men are less likely to book skin checks, and melanoma on the back and scalp is often found late, so a yearly visit is wise for adult men. Teens and children with many moles, a changing mole or a family history of melanoma also benefit, and SOCAH Center sees patients of all ages.
Location2296 Henderson Mill Rd, Suite 300Atlanta, GA, 30345
Emailinfo@socahcenter.com
Phone(404) 474-2301

Schedule Your Skin Cancer Screening Consultation

References

  1. Rojas et al., J Am Acad Dermatol. (2022). Skin cancer: Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Part II. PMID: 35176398.
  2. Jaimes et al., G Ital Dermatol Venereol. (2012). An update on risk factors, prognosis and management of melanoma patients. PMID: 22370565.
  3. Thakker et al., J Am Acad Dermatol. (2026). Acral lentiginous melanoma. Part I. Epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentation, and diagnosis. PMID: 39793708.
  4. Goydos et al., Cancer Treat Res. (2016). Acral Lentiginous Melanoma. PMID: 26601870.
  5. Nakamura et al., Curr Treat Options Oncol. (2018). Diagnosis and Management of Acral Lentiginous Melanoma. PMID: 29951919.