Skin Cancer Services

For most adults, once a year is a reasonable baseline. You may need to come in more often if you've had skin cancer before, have a family history of melanoma, have many moles or atypical moles, or spend significant time outdoors — which describes a lot of people in the Treasure Valley. Your provider will recommend a schedule based on your history and risk, not a generic rule.

Our elevation means stronger UV exposure than most of the country, and the region's long sunny season and outdoor culture — skiing, hiking, farming, construction, time on the river — add up to more lifetime sun than people realize. Sunburns from decades ago still count. None of that means skin cancer is inevitable; it means regular skin checks and consistent sun protection are worth prioritizing here.

What happens during a full-body skin exam?
Your provider examines your skin from scalp to feet, including areas you can't easily see yourself, using magnification to look closely at anything of interest. It's straightforward and typically takes about 15 to 20 minutes. If a spot needs a closer look, we can usually perform a biopsy at that same visit so you're not waiting on a second appointment to get answers.

Look for a spot that's changing — in size, shape, or color — or one that looks different from your other moles. Sores that bleed, scab, and don't fully heal after a few weeks are also worth having examined, as are new growths that appear after age 30. If something is on your mind, don't wait for your annual visit to have it checked.

Mohs micrographic surgery removes skin cancer one thin layer at a time, with each layer examined under a microscope during the procedure. The surgeon continues only until no cancer cells remain, which means the highest cure rate for many skin cancers along with the least amount of healthy tissue removed. That tissue-sparing precision is why it's the preferred approach for cancers on the face, ears, hands, and other cosmetically and functionally sensitive areas.

In nearly all cases, no. Our practice includes two fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons, and diagnosis, surgical treatment, and reconstruction are all handled here in the Treasure Valley by the same team that examined you. You won't need to start over explaining your history to a new provider, and you won't be waiting on an outside referral to move forward.