Basal cell carcinoma screening

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Saarah T. Alkhairy, M.D., Maneesha Nandimandalam, M.B.B.S.[2]

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has found no evidence to recommend for or against screening. The American Cancer Society recommends that a health care provider examine the skin every year if the patient is older than 40 years, and every 3 years if the patient is between 20-40 years.

• The U.S Preventive Task Force has found no evidence to recommend for or against screening^[1].

• Task Force members state that “clinicians should remain alert for skin lesions with malignant features noted in the context of physical examinations performed for other purposes,” and recognize that “even without formal screening programs, mortality from basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma is low compared with mortality from melanoma, but early detection and treatment may reduce morbidity and disfigurement from these cancers.”

• The American Cancer Society recommends that a health care provider examine the skin every year if the patient is older than 40 years, and every 3 years if the patient is between 20-40 years