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Skin Cancer - Step 4: Ask Your Doctor About Skin Cancer Risk
You and your doctor need to work as a team to reduce your cancer risk. Here are some tips to help you talk with your doctor about risk.
  • Know your risk factors and take your risk factor list with you to the doctor's office.
  • Prepare your list of questions before your visit (see below).
  • Know what behaviors you are willing to change.
  • Take one step at a time-be realistic about what you can do.
  • Add your concerns to the doctor's intake form if they are not listed.
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Read the Doctor's Comments

Questions For Your Doctor
Click on the questions below that you would like to ask your doctor. Take your list when you visit your doctor.

Do you think I should be worried about skin cancer?

How often should a doctor check me for skin cancer?

Can you check my skin or do I need to see a dermatologist?

People in my family have had melanoma. Should I be getting checked more often?

I’ve been doing skin self-examinations. Over the last couple of months I found some changes in this mole. Here is a record of what I have seen change. Is this something to be concerned about?

(To a new doctor) I want to let you know that I have been treated for basal cell carcinoma. How do you think we should follow up to prevent further skin cancer?

I’ve just learned that having more than 50 moles can be a risk factor for skin cancer. I'm sure I have more than 50 moles. What should I do?

I’m careful about how much time I spend in the sun. Are there any other things I can do to prevent skin cancer?
 
   

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