I'm wondering why an annual skin exam isn't a habitual part of a woman's annual checkup? I have been having annual pap smears and physical checkups for 30 years, and only once or twice did a doctor actually examine a mole or two, and that was when I brought it to their attention. I understand that doctors are not dermatologists, but it seems that they're trained in what to look for -- when a mole looks troublesome, for instance -- and refer patients to dermatologists when necessary.
I've long felt the need to find a dermatologist because I spent way too much time in the sun in my late teens and early 20s. But it's one of those things that you have to "get around" to doing. It sure would be awesome if it were a part of our regular annual screenings at our regular doctors' offices.
Perhaps it is at others' primary care offices. Anyone had this experience?
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This is a great post.
I'm wondering why an annual skin exam isn't a habitual part of a woman's annual checkup? I have been having annual pap smears and physical checkups for 30 years, and only once or twice did a doctor actually examine a mole or two, and that was when I brought it to their attention. I understand that doctors are not dermatologists, but it seems that they're trained in what to look for -- when a mole looks troublesome, for instance -- and refer patients to dermatologists when necessary.
I've long felt the need to find a dermatologist because I spent way too much time in the sun in my late teens and early 20s. But it's one of those things that you have to "get around" to doing. It sure would be awesome if it were a part of our regular annual screenings at our regular doctors' offices.
Perhaps it is at others' primary care offices. Anyone had this experience?
June 29, 2009 - 8:44amThis Comment
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