Same Day Skin Cancer Screening in San Diego

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Fenton, Sterling, Livonia, MI and San Diego, CA

At Skin & Vein West, we offer same-day skin cancer screenings. Instead of waiting several weeks or even months at other dermatology offices to secure an appointment, we are structured to get you in quickly to catch any issues early and alleviate your concerns.

Skin & Vein West is one of San Diego’s premier cosmetic surgery and dermatology clinics. Our team has helped countless patients detect skin cancers of various kinds, allowing them to live their lives with clarity and peace of mind.

If you are ready to meet with our team and start learning more, please schedule a consultation online or call (619) 704-2100.

About Same-Day Skin Cancer Screenings

A same-day skin cancer screening is a specialized process that can help you on your journey to identify suspicious growths or lesions and determine whether further testing, such as a biopsy, is needed. During these appointments, we will meet with you to learn more about your medical history and your personal concerns. They will also perform a physical evaluation to assess any growths that you have been suspicious of.

About Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that encompasses several different types of benign and malignant growths. Skin cancer is more prevalent than many other types of cancer, and it is often a result of ultraviolet (UV) induced DNA damage or oncogenesis. (1) Oncogenesis is the process by which normal, healthy cells transform into cancerous cells due to genetic mutations.

Medical professionals classify skin cancer into two distinct categories: melanoma and nonmelanoma.

  • Melanoma Skin Cancers: Melanoma is a serious and aggressive form of skin cancer that can spread to other parts of the body. They only account for approximately 1% of skin cancer cases, but significantly contribute to skin cancer deaths. (2)
  • Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers: Nonmelanoma is a slow-growing, highly curable skin cancer. The most common are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Candidates

You may benefit from attending a same-day cancer screening if you are at an increased risk of developing skin cancer. While those with fairer skin are naturally at a higher risk, other factors can include:

  • Direct or excessive sun exposure
  • Consistently using tanning devices
  • A family history of skin cancer
  • Repeated exposure to X-ray radiation
  • Immunosuppression
  • Burn or disease scars
  • Occupational exposure to human carcinogens, such as arsenic, coal, or tar

You may also want to consider a screening if you have noticed a suspicious lesion or worrisome mole on your body. Suspicious lesions typically include those that appear asymmetrical, irregularly colored, poorly defined, enlarged, or appear suddenly. Additionally, non-healing lesions that resemble benign growths that linger in sun-exposed areas may also be of concern.

Preparation

There are very few preparations you will need to make before your screening. However, there are a few ways you can make your appointment go smoothly and enhance our accuracy, including:

  • Avoiding Sunlight: Discontinue any tanning products and avoid direct or excessive sun exposure when leaving the house.
  • Avoid Drinking Alcohol: Avoid consuming any alcohol before coming in, as alcohol can thin the blood and cause complications if you require a biopsy. Alcohol can also increase skin cancer risk long-term.
  • Cleansing Your Skin: Please ensure that your skin is free of any makeup, skin care products, and facial jewelry.
  • Dressing Comfortably: We advise wearing loose, breathable, and easily removable clothing to your appointment to streamline the entire screening process.

How Do You Screen for Skin Cancer?

You will meet with one of our medical skin care professionals, who will ask you about the suspicious growth to learn when it appeared and how it has changed since. They will then perform a detailed evaluation of your skin using the ABCDs of skin cancer or the “ugly duckling” sign. Your skin care medical professional may also perform a biopsy to excise all or part of your growth if it looks malignant or if further information is warranted.

The ABCDs of Skin Cancer

One of the most common ways to determine whether a mole may be melanoma or not is by following the ABCDs of skin cancer. This is a mnemonic that consists of:

  • A for Asymmetry: The growth is asymmetrical, with one half appearing more imbalanced than the other.
  • B for Border: The borders of the growth appear irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined.
  • C for Color: The color of the growth’s surface varies, with certain areas appearing in darker or lighter shades of tan, brown, or black. Occasionally, cancerous moles may also possess shades of red, blue, or white.
  • D for Diameter: Specific types of skin cancers typically develop with a diameter greater than six millimeters, although they can also appear smaller.

The Ugly Duckling Sign

The ugly duckling sign is another approach to screening skin cancer. It compares the irregular lesion to the other birthmarks and moles on your body. Your skin care medical professional will do this with the naked eye and a tool called a dermascope, which allows for inspection at varying magnifications.

Biopsy

A biopsy is a common medical examination that takes a sample of tissue from the suspected growth. There are two types of biopsies: incisional biopsies and excisional biopsies. Incisional biopsies only remove part of the abnormal tissue, while excisional biopsies remove the entire thing. (3)

After carefully removing the sample of tissue, your skin care medical professional will prepare it to be sent to a pathologist. The pathologist will determine whether the growth is cancerous or not.

Deep Shave/Saucerization Biopsy

A deep shave or saucerization biopsy uses a curved blade to scoop out a disc-shaped sample from the lesion. Your skin care medical professional can use this method to remove most nonmelanoma skin cancers on the superficial layers of skin. (4)

Punch Excision

A punch excision or punch biopsy consists of removing the core of the lesion to determine whether or not it is cancerous. This method is ideal for removing smaller growths around the body, and the tissue sample our team takes is well-suited for detection, as it often extends several layers below the skin.

Elliptical Excision

An elliptical excision is a football-shaped incision that is effective for removing larger growths or tumors. This method is best for larger lesions with clear, distinct margins and can reach deeper tissues and fat. Elliptical excisions offer minimal risk for most patients, and many patients often avoid the need for a more invasive procedure later on. (5)

What Happens After My Screening?

Our team can identify suspicious or concerning lesions visually and determine what needs further attention. However, a confirmed diagnosis usually comes later, after a biopsy (bx) is sent to pathology for analysis.

If the pathologist finds that the cells within the tissue sample look abnormal, they will further inspect it to assess the stage and grade of the cancer. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, our team will reach out to you so that we can help you on your path toward an effective treatment plan.

Cost of Same-Day Skin Cancer Screening in San Diego

Once your skin care medical professional meets with you and determines which type of screening is necessary, they will give you a comprehensive cost estimate. We additionally offer financing for those who qualify.

To learn more about our pricing, please contact us online or call (619) 704-2100.

FAQ

What is same-day skin cancer screening?

Same-day cancer screenings are convenient appointments where our team can evaluate a suspicious growth or mole without ahead-of-time scheduling. If further information is needed, your skin care medical professional may perform a biopsy and send the sample to a pathologist for a confirmed diagnosis.

Will I need a biopsy?

Your skin care medical professional may recommend a biopsy for further information if your initial results are unclear or your lesion looks suspicious.

Can I walk in without an appointment?

Yes, you may walk in without an appointment. However, we recommend calling ahead of time to ensure that we are able to accommodate you that day.

When will I receive my results?

If a biopsy is performed during your screening, your tissue sample will be sent to a pathology lab for analysis. Results are typically available within several days to a week. Once your results are ready, our team will contact you to review the findings and discuss any next steps if needed.

References

  1. Gruber P, Shah M, Zito PM. Skin Cancer. PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441949/
  2. Mangione CM, Barry MJ, Nicholson WK, et al. Screening for Skin Cancer. JAMA. 2023;329(15):1290-1290. doi:https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2023.4342
  3. Information NC for B, Pike USNL of M 8600 R, MD B, Usa 20894. What Happens during a Biopsy? Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK348942/
  4. Nasar Alwahaibi, Alwahaibi M. Mini review on skin biopsy: traditional and modern techniques. Frontiers in Medicine. 2025;12. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2025.1476685
  5. Saun TJ, Truong J, Dev SP, Wanzel K. How to Perform an Elliptical Excision of the Skin. Ingelfinger JR, ed. New England Journal of Medicine. 2019;380(19):e34. doi:https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmvcm1404883