Skin Cancer Screenings in Stuart, FL

Early Detection Starts With a Skin Check

A spot on your skin does not have to look alarming to be worth checking.

Skin cancer can develop in many different ways. It may appear as a new mole, a spot that has started to change, a sore that does not seem to heal, a rough or scaly patch, or a growth that looks different from the surrounding skin. Some changes are easy to notice. Others may be subtle or develop in areas that are difficult to see on your own.

At Athena Plastic Surgery in Stuart, skin cancer screenings are performed by Brandi Milner, PA-C, a board-certified Physician Assistant with experience in medical and surgical skin care. Athena’s broader skin care services include skin cancer evaluation, biopsy, treatment of precancerous lesions, wound care, and surgical treatment when appropriate.

The purpose of a screening is not to assume that every unusual spot is cancer. It is to take a careful look at your skin, identify anything that deserves more attention, and help determine whether monitoring, testing, or treatment may be appropriate.

Whether you are concerned about one specific lesion or simply want a professional evaluation of your skin, a screening can give you a clearer understanding of what you are seeing and what your next step should be.

What Is a Skin Cancer Screening?

A skin cancer screening is a visual examination of the skin for moles, lesions, growths, discoloration, sores, or other changes that may warrant closer evaluation.

During the examination, Brandi looks at the appearance of individual lesions while also considering how they compare with the rest of your skin. A spot that stands out from your other moles or has noticeably changed over time may deserve additional attention.

Researchers and clinicians have long emphasized the importance of recognizing changes in existing lesions as well as identifying new or unusual ones. For melanoma in particular, the ABCDE criteria remain a useful first step for recognizing characteristics that may be suspicious.

A screening itself does not diagnose skin cancer. If a lesion is concerning, further evaluation or a biopsy may be needed to determine what it is.

What Happens During Your Skin Cancer Screening?

Your visit begins with a conversation about your skin and any areas you have noticed.

If there is a specific spot that brought you in, let Brandi know when you first noticed it and whether it has changed. Details such as growth, bleeding, itching, pain, color changes, or failure to heal can provide useful context during an evaluation.

Brandi will examine your skin for concerning moles, lesions, growths, and other changes.

You should point out any area that is:

• New
• Changing in size or shape
• Changing color
• Growing
• Bleeding
• Itching
• Painful or tender
• Rough or scaly
• Crusting repeatedly
• Not healing normally
• Different from the other spots on your skin

Do not worry about deciding for yourself whether something “looks bad enough.” If a spot has caught your attention, mention it.

Many unusual-looking skin lesions are benign. The goal of the visit is to separate changes that appear routine from those that may need monitoring or additional testing.

What Do We Look for During a Skin Check?

Skin cancer does not have one universal appearance.

A screening can help identify features associated with basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and precancerous skin changes.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is a common form of skin cancer that often develops on areas of the body with significant sun exposure.

Depending on the lesion, it may appear as a pearly or shiny bump, a pink or irritated area, a sore that repeatedly heals and returns, or an area that bleeds easily.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma can also develop on sun-exposed skin and may appear as a rough or scaly patch, a firm growth, a crusted lesion, or a sore that does not heal.

Melanoma

Melanoma can develop within an existing mole or appear as a new lesion.

One reason changes over time matter is that some melanomas may not fit every classic warning sign. Clinical literature continues to emphasize evolution in a lesion’s size, shape, color, surface, or symptoms as an important reason for further evaluation.

Precancerous Skin Changes

Some abnormal skin lesions are not yet invasive skin cancers but may have the potential to progress.

Identifying these changes gives your provider an opportunity to recommend monitoring or treatment based on the type of lesion and your individual risk factors.

The ABCDEs of Melanoma

The ABCDE method provides a simple way to remember several characteristics that can make a mole or pigmented lesion worth evaluating.

A for Asymmetry

One half of the lesion does not closely match the other half.

B for Border

The edges may appear irregular, uneven, blurred, or poorly defined.

C for Color

A lesion may contain more than one color or develop changes in pigmentation.

D for Diameter

Larger lesions can warrant attention, although melanoma can also occur in lesions smaller than the traditional 6-millimeter guideline.

E for Evolving

A mole or spot that changes over time can be particularly important. Changes may involve size, shape, color, symptoms, surface texture, itching, tenderness, or bleeding.

The ABCDE method is a guide, not a diagnostic test. A lesion does not have to meet every criterion to deserve evaluation, and not every lesion that meets one of these criteria is cancerous.

Pay Attention to the Spot That Looks Different

Another useful concept is sometimes called the “ugly duckling” sign.

Most of a person’s normal moles often share certain visual characteristics. A mole that looks noticeably different from the others may be worth showing your provider, even if it does not obviously meet all of the ABCDE criteria.

Research has found that comparing a lesion with a patient’s other moles can provide useful information when evaluating melanoma risk.

You know what is normal for your own skin better than anyone. If a particular spot suddenly looks different from everything around it, mention it during your screening.

Who May Benefit From a Skin Cancer Screening?

There is no single risk profile that applies to every patient.

You may want to schedule a skin evaluation if you:

• Have noticed a new or changing mole
• Have a growth or lesion that looks different from the rest of your skin
• Have a sore that repeatedly bleeds, crusts, or does not heal
• Have significant cumulative sun exposure
• Have experienced repeated or severe sunburns
• Have many moles or atypical moles
• Have previously had skin cancer or precancerous lesions
• Have a family history of melanoma or other skin cancers
• Have been advised by another medical provider to have a lesion evaluated
• Simply have a particular spot that concerns you

The scientific evidence does not establish one universal screening schedule that is appropriate for every asymptomatic adult. Your personal history, skin findings, sun exposure, previous diagnoses, and other risk factors can influence how often professional evaluation may make sense for you.

For patients in Florida, where outdoor activity and cumulative ultraviolet exposure can be substantial, being familiar with your skin and taking changes seriously is especially practical.

What If Brandi Finds Something Suspicious?

A suspicious lesion does not automatically mean you have skin cancer.

Some moles and growths can look unusual while still being benign. The next step depends on what Brandi sees during your examination and the history of the lesion.

In some cases, she may recommend continued observation.

In others, the best way to learn more about a suspicious lesion is through a skin biopsy.

What Is a Skin Biopsy?

A skin biopsy involves removing a small sample of tissue so it can be examined more closely.

The purpose of the biopsy is to determine what type of cells are present and whether the lesion shows benign, precancerous, or cancerous changes.

Biopsy remains an important part of establishing a definitive diagnosis when a skin lesion is suspicious.

The exact biopsy technique depends on factors such as the lesion’s appearance, size, location, and the condition being considered.

Athena already provides biopsy services as part of its skin and reconstructive care, so patients who need additional evaluation may be able to continue through the next stage of care within the practice.

What Happens If Skin Cancer Is Diagnosed?

If pathology confirms skin cancer, your treatment plan will depend on the type of cancer, size, depth, location, and other clinical factors.

Athena Plastic Surgery also provides surgical excision for skin cancer for appropriate patients.

During surgical excision, the cancerous tissue is removed along with an appropriate margin of surrounding tissue. The specimen can then be evaluated by pathology, and the resulting wound is repaired with attention to both healing and appearance. Athena notes that reconstructive techniques may be used when appropriate based on the location and extent of the defect.

This connection between evaluation and reconstructive care is one reason Skin Cancer Screenings fits naturally within Athena’s Reconstruction services.

A patient may move through a connected process:

Skin evaluation → biopsy if needed → diagnosis → treatment → reconstruction when appropriate

Not every patient will need every step, but having these services within the same practice can make it easier to coordinate care when an abnormal lesion does require treatment.

Why Early Evaluation Matters

The goal of checking a suspicious lesion is to identify concerning changes before they have an opportunity to progress unnoticed.

This is especially relevant to melanoma, where tumor thickness and stage at diagnosis are important factors in prognosis. Research on melanoma detection consistently emphasizes the importance of recognizing suspicious lesions and evaluating changes over time.

At the same time, a skin check should not create unnecessary alarm.

Most spots people notice are not melanoma. Professional evaluation provides context and helps determine when reassurance, monitoring, biopsy, or treatment is appropriate.

Know Your Own Skin Between Visits

Professional evaluation is important when something appears suspicious, but familiarity with your own skin can also help you recognize changes.

When checking your skin at home, pay attention to areas that are easy to overlook, including:

• The scalp and hairline
• Behind the ears
• The back and shoulders
• Between the fingers and toes
• The backs of the legs
• The soles of the feet

A mirror or help from a partner can make it easier to see areas that are difficult to inspect yourself.

Skin self-examination is not a substitute for professional evaluation, and studies show that patients vary considerably in their ability to identify suspicious lesions on their own. Still, becoming familiar with your skin can make it easier to recognize a new or evolving spot that should be brought to a medical provider’s attention.

Preparing for Your Skin Cancer Screening

There is very little you need to do before a skin check.

If possible:

• Make note of any spots you specifically want Brandi to examine
• Think about when you first noticed them
• Note any recent changes in size, color, shape, sensation, bleeding, or healing
• Be prepared to discuss previous skin cancers or biopsies
• Bring relevant pathology or medical records if you have been treated elsewhere
• Let the office know about medications and relevant medical conditions

If you have photographs showing how a lesion looked previously, those may also help demonstrate whether it has changed over time.

Meet Brandi Milner, PA-C

Brandi Milner, PA-C provides skin cancer evaluations at Athena Plastic Surgery.

Athena identifies Brandi as a Physician Assistant on its medical team. Her current National Provider Identifier records list her as a certified Physician Assistant practicing at Athena’s Stuart office, with both medical and surgical Physician Assistant classifications. She is also listed as a current Diplomate by the Society of Dermatology Physician Associates.

Her role fits directly within Athena’s established skin and reconstructive care. Athena provides skin cancer screening, evaluation of suspicious growths and skin concerns, biopsies, treatment of precancerous lesions, wound care, and surgical skin cancer services.

For patients, that means the appointment is not simply about identifying something unusual. Brandi can help explain what she sees, whether additional evaluation is appropriate, and what the next steps may look like.

Skin Cancer Care at Athena Plastic Surgery

Athena Plastic Surgery combines skin evaluation with access to surgical and reconstructive expertise when additional treatment is needed.

The practice is led by Dr. Avron Lipschitz, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and Athena’s Stuart location includes an accredited surgery center for appropriate procedures.

For a patient with a suspicious skin lesion, that broader clinical setting can be particularly helpful. Screening is only the first step. If further evaluation, biopsy, surgical excision, wound care, or reconstruction becomes necessary, Athena already provides services across that continuum of care.

Frequently Asked Questions About Skin Cancer Screenings

Do I need to have a suspicious mole to schedule a screening?

No. You may schedule an evaluation because of a particular spot, a history of significant sun exposure or skin cancer, or simply because you want a professional assessment of changes in your skin.

Does an unusual mole mean I have melanoma?

No. Many unusual or atypical-looking moles are benign. Appearance alone cannot confirm a diagnosis. If a lesion is concerning, a biopsy may be recommended.

Can skin cancer look like a sore instead of a mole?

Yes. Not all skin cancers look like dark or changing moles. Some may resemble sores, rough patches, scaly areas, bumps, or lesions that repeatedly bleed or fail to heal.

Should I be concerned about a mole smaller than 6 millimeters?

Potentially. The traditional ABCDE criteria include diameter, but melanomas can occur below the classic 6-millimeter threshold. A lesion that is changing, unusual, or otherwise concerning should not be ignored simply because it is small.

What happens if a biopsy is recommended?

A small sample of tissue is removed and examined to determine whether abnormal or cancerous cells are present. Brandi can explain which biopsy approach is appropriate based on the lesion being evaluated.

Does Athena treat skin cancer if something is found?

Athena offers surgical excision for skin cancer for appropriate diagnosed lesions and can provide reconstructive closure when necessary. Treatment depends on the type, location, size, depth, and other characteristics of the cancer.

Will every suspicious spot need to be biopsied?

No. The appropriate next step depends on the clinical appearance and history of the lesion. Some areas may be monitored, while others may warrant tissue sampling.

Can I check my own skin at home?

Yes, and knowing what is normal for your skin can help you notice changes. Self-examination cannot diagnose skin cancer and should not replace professional evaluation when a lesion is concerning. Research suggests that education can improve self-examination behavior, although the clinical impact of self-screening varies.

Take a Proactive Approach to Your Skin Health

You do not have to know whether a spot is dangerous before asking someone to look at it.

If you have noticed a mole that is changing, a sore that will not heal, a new growth, or simply something that looks different from the rest of your skin, a professional evaluation can help you understand what it is and whether it needs further attention.

At Athena Plastic Surgery, Brandi Milner, PA-C provides skin cancer screenings in Stuart as part of Athena’s broader skin, surgical, and reconstructive care.

Schedule a skin cancer screening with Brandi Milner, PA-C at Athena Plastic Surgery in Stuart, Florida.