Skin Cancer Screening in Bedford, TX
Ready to get started?
Contact UsSkin Cancer Screening in Bedford, TX
Texas has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the country — and Tarrant County, with its long summers, intense UV exposure, and outdoor lifestyle, sits squarely in the highest-risk zone. At Essential Dermatology Group in Bedford, our board-certified dermatologists perform thorough, head-to-toe skin cancer screenings designed to catch problems early, when they are most treatable.
If you have noticed a new or changing spot, have a personal or family history of skin cancer, or simply haven't had a professional skin exam in over a year, this is the place to start.
Why Annual Skin Checks Matter — Especially in Texas
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, approximately one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. The numbers are higher in sunbelt states like Texas, where UV exposure is more intense and year-round.
The good news: when skin cancer is detected early, it is highly treatable. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas — the two most common types — have cure rates approaching 99% when caught in their earliest stages. Even melanoma, the most serious form, has a five-year survival rate above 99% when found before it spreads.
That's the entire purpose of an annual skin check. A trained dermatologist can identify suspicious changes long before they would be obvious to you — often years before they become dangerous.
Who Should Get a Skin Cancer Screening?
We recommend an annual full-body skin exam for adults in any of the following groups:
-
Anyone with a personal history of skin cancer, atypical moles, or actinic keratoses
-
Anyone with a family history of melanoma or other skin cancers
-
People with fair skin, light hair, or light-colored eyes
-
People with a history of significant sun exposure, sunburns, or tanning bed use
-
People over 40, regardless of skin type
-
Anyone who works outdoors or spends significant time in the sun (construction, landscaping, golf, fishing, boating)
-
Anyone who is immunosuppressed, including organ transplant recipients
-
Anyone with a new, changing, or symptomatic spot — at any age
If you are not in any of these groups but have never had a professional skin exam, a baseline screening is still worthwhile. It gives your dermatologist a map of what is normal for you, which makes future changes much easier to spot.
What to Expect at Your Skin Cancer Screening
A full-body skin exam at Essential Dermatology Group is straightforward, painless, and typically takes 15 to 30 minutes.
Before the Visit
Come with your skin clean and free of makeup, nail polish, and heavy lotions. If there are specific spots that concern you, make a mental note (or take photos) so you can point them out. Wear something easy to change out of — you will be given a medical gown for the exam.
During the Exam
Your board-certified dermatologist will examine your skin from your scalp to the soles of your feet, including areas you may not typically inspect — the scalp, ears, between toes, under nails, and behind the knees. We use a dermatoscope, a handheld magnifying device that allows us to see patterns and structures inside a mole that aren't visible to the naked eye, which significantly improves diagnostic accuracy.
If we find a spot that concerns us, we will discuss it with you and recommend next steps. In some cases that means simply photographing the lesion and monitoring it. In other cases, we may recommend a biopsy — a small, in-office procedure where we numb the area and remove a tissue sample for laboratory analysis. Biopsies typically take just a few minutes and most patients describe the discomfort as minimal.
After the Exam
You will leave with a clear understanding of what we found, what (if anything) we are watching, and when you should return. If a biopsy was performed, results usually come back within 7 to 10 days, and we will contact you with the findings and any recommended treatment plan.
Why Patients in the Mid-Cities Trust Essential Dermatology Group
Our Bedford practice was founded on a simple principle: thoughtful, unhurried, patient-centered care. Both Dr. Calvin Williams and Dr. Shaun Cooper are board-certified dermatologists who personally see every patient. We don't rush through skin checks, we don't farm them out, and we take the time to explain what we're seeing and why it matters.
We see patients from across the Mid-Cities, including Bedford, Hurst, Euless, Colleyville, North Richland Hills, Southlake, Keller, and Grapevine. If you've been putting off your annual skin check — or you've noticed something that's been on your mind — we would be glad to take a look.
Insurance, Cost, and Scheduling
Skin cancer screenings are considered medical visits and are typically covered by health insurance. We are credentialed with most major insurance plans serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area. To confirm coverage for your specific plan, please call our office at 682-503-2023.
Most patients are seen within one to two weeks of calling. If you have a spot that concerns you, let our scheduling team know and we will do our best to get you in sooner.
Essential Dermatology Group Reviews
Dr Williams is amazing! Such a knowledgeable and kind man. He takes the time to listen to your concerns and come up with a plan
I had a very pleasant visit with Dr Williams yesterday, 7/22/24 He was kind and informative throughout my appointment and his assistant was very nice as well. Thanks Dr. Williams and staff.
I Love Dr. Calvin. He is amazing and his staff always takes good care of me.
I had a wonderful experience at Essencial Dermatology Group located in Bedford, TX. My first experience was with Ashley the assiisant. She is totally awesome, she made me feel comfortable. Dr. Cooper was great, he was very knowledgeable of my condition. He was not in a rush, he took his time to explain things to me. Thank you!!!
Very professional team. Dr. Cooper takes the time to explain everything to you. I recommend this office.
1140
Total Reviews
5
Average Rating
Get In Touch
Warning Signs to Watch For: The ABCDEs of Melanoma
Between annual visits, you can perform monthly self-exams at home. The ABCDEs of melanoma are an easy framework for evaluating moles and spots:
A — Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn't match the other half.
B — Border: Edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
C — Color: Color is uneven and may include shades of brown, black, pink, red, white, or blue.
D — Diameter: Larger than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser), though melanomas can be smaller.
E — Evolving: Any change in size, shape, color, elevation, or new symptoms such as bleeding, itching, or crusting.
Other red flags that warrant a prompt visit include any sore that does not heal within four to six weeks, a new growth that bleeds easily, a pearly or waxy bump on the face or neck, and a thick, rough, scaly patch that keeps coming back. As we tell patients: no pimple lasts for months. If a bump won't go away, have it looked at.
Types of Skin Cancer We Screen For
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
The most common form of skin cancer. BCC often appears as a small, pearly or waxy bump, frequently on the face, ears, neck, or scalp. It grows slowly and rarely spreads, but if left untreated it can cause significant local damage.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
The second most common type. SCC typically appears as a firm red nodule, a flat sore with a scaly crust, or a rough patch that won't heal. It can occur anywhere on the body but is most common on sun-exposed areas. SCC is more likely than BCC to spread if not treated early.
Melanoma
The most serious form of skin cancer because of its tendency to spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma can develop from an existing mole or appear as a new dark spot. When caught early, melanoma is highly treatable. When caught late, it is one of the most dangerous cancers.
Actinic Keratoses (Pre-Cancers)
Rough, scaly patches caused by years of sun exposure. Actinic keratoses are not cancer, but they can develop into squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated. We treat them in the office with cryotherapy, topical medications, or other modalities depending on the case.
If We Find Something: Your Treatment Options
If a biopsy confirms skin cancer, we will walk you through your options in detail. Most non-melanoma skin cancers can be treated in our Bedford office with one of the following approaches:
-
Surgical excision — removing the cancerous tissue along with a margin of healthy skin
-
Electrodessication and curettage — scraping and cauterizing the lesion
-
Cryotherapy — freezing the lesion with liquid nitrogen, used for very superficial lesions and pre-cancers
-
Topical chemotherapy or immunotherapy creams — for certain superficial cancers and pre-cancers
For skin cancers in cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas (such as the face, ears, or hands), or for cancers that are large, recurrent, or aggressive, we coordinate care with a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon. Mohs micrographic surgery is the gold standard for these cases and offers the highest cure rates while preserving the most healthy tissue.
For melanoma, treatment depends on the depth and stage at diagnosis and may involve wider surgical excision, lymph node evaluation, and coordination with a surgical or medical oncologist.
Learn More About Essential Dermatology Group
About UsSkin Cancer Screening FAQs
Does a skin check hurt?
No. A standard skin cancer screening is a visual examination and is completely painless. If a biopsy is recommended, the area is numbed first with a small injection of local anesthetic, and most patients describe the procedure as mild and brief.
Do I need a referral?
Most insurance plans do not require a referral to see a dermatologist, but plan rules vary. We recommend calling your insurance company or our office at 682-503-2023 to verify before your visit.
What should I wear to my appointment?
Wear something comfortable that is easy to change out of. You will be given a medical gown for the exam. Avoid heavy makeup, nail polish, and thick lotions on the day of your visit so we can examine the skin clearly.
Can I bring up cosmetic concerns at the same visit?
Yes — many patients combine their annual skin check with questions about cosmetic concerns. Note that cosmetic services are typically not covered by insurance and may need to be scheduled as a separate appointment. Let our scheduling team know in advance so we can plan accordingly.
My spot looks fine but it's been there forever. Is it worth getting checked?
Yes. Many skin cancers look unremarkable to an untrained eye. A two-minute glance under a dermatoscope can rule out the things that matter and give you real peace of mind. The visit is short, the answer is usually reassuring, and on the rare occasion that it isn't, you've caught the problem at the best possible moment.
How often should I get a skin cancer screening?
Most adults benefit from an annual full-body skin exam. If you have a personal history of skin cancer or atypical moles, your dermatologist may recommend visits every six months. If you notice any concerning change between visits, don't wait — schedule sooner.