Q: Can I Go to My Primary Care Physician for a Skin Exam?
Although a skin exam with your primary care physician (PCP) can be a starting point in evaluating your skin for cancer, a dermatologist is the expert. Since a PCP will often refer you to a dermatologist if they aren’t sure about a spot, it makes sense to go straight to a dermatologist for an exam. In most instances, there is no insurance referral needed. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends seeing a dermatologist at least once a year for a professional skin exam. You can remember this as “on your birthday, examine your birthday suit.”
About the Expert:
Gloria Campbell-D’Hue, MD, is the founder of the Atlanta Center of Dermatology and Medispa. She has more than 35 years of training and experience in the practice of dermatology.
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