Recently had my semi-annual skin check. After my last exam, the dermatologist told me that I could reschedule in a year's time but since I'm at a little higher risk, she said that every 6 months is preferable. Unfortunately, I moved out of town, so I had to book with another clinic. I do so and request an appointment, but I'm not told who the provider will be. On the clinic's site, there is a mix of both male/female providers.
When I arrive at the clinic, I check in and take a seat, waiting for to be taken into an exam room. The entrance and waiting area were modern, clean, and looked like they had just been renovated. After a 10-minute wait, a medical assistant calls my name and guides me to the exam room. It was a large space with the exam chair in the middle of it. I have a seat in the chair and the MA takes some of my health history. I tell her that I've had an exam about 6 months ago and that I moved so I needed a new practice. She confirms that I'll be getting a skin check and says that the provider will be in shortly. She mentions the name of the PA and I can vaguely remember her picture from the clinic's website. She quickly goes over what the visit entails. She informs me that it's a head to toe exam and that I need to get undressed to my underwear and put on a gown. The MA leaves the room and I get undressed. Last visit, I was given the option to remove my underwear. This was not the case this time.
A few minutes later, I hear a knock on the door and both the PA and the MA walk in. "Hi, I'm [her name], I'm a PA and we'll be doing your full body skin exam today." The PA was wearing black scrubs, her white coat, and running shoes. She quickly goes over some medical history before putting the tablet down.
She walks over to the exam chair and reclines it until I'm lying flat on my back. She grabs a pair of white gloves from the box on the wall and begins to inspect my face and scalp: “I’ll start with your head and work my way down, let me know of any concerns along the way.” She parts my hair, looks in and behind my ears, pulls my lips and cheeks to look inside my mouth and even has the MA give her a tongue blade to check the back of my mouth.
After lowering my gown, she moves on to looking at my arms and chest, using her light to get a better look at some moles. She lifts up my arms to look at the armpit area and feel for any swollen lymph nodes. My legs, feet, and in between my toes are next to be examined: “it’s very important to check areas that are hidden like between your toes, lesions can hide there too. When you do your self-exams make sure to look there.” Once that is done, she has me flip over so she can check the backs of my arms and legs and my back. She un-reclines the chair, grabs her stool, and wheels in-front of me:
- "Is there anything under the underwear that I should see or that you're concerned with? I will say that skin cancer can form anywhere so I typically recommend checking for new patients, but it’s totally up to you.”
-"I haven't noticed anything, but I would rather make sure everything is fine."
-"Ok, would you rather lay down or stand up?”
-“I’ll just lay down”
-“No problem, please remove your undergarments for me. I’ll start by looking at your backside so if you can just turn over for me once the chair is flat.” I do as she says and she continues:
-“You’ll just feel my hands, going to check in between to make sure… Everything looks normal on the buttocks, turn back over for me and spread your legs a little, please”
Once turned over, she lifts the gown and proceeds to examine the area. After feeling for lymph nodes in the groin, the PA gently moved my penis with her gloved fingers, inspecting all surfaces. She then moved my penis aside and look at all areas of the scrotum, even lifting to get a look under. Lastly, she retracted the foreskin (carefully, and she told me before doing so) to check that surface.
-“Sorry about that, know it’s a little uncomfortable, but would rather take a quick peek there to make sure nothing is lurking. Everything looks healthy, you can put your underpants back on.” She stepped back and removed her gloves, throwing them in the bin. Finally, she told me that she rather see me every 6 months for a couple of years and then she might recommend pushing visits back to yearly.
I was surprised that the PA did such a thorough exam, especially after I had to leave my underwear on. But I think part of that is because it was my first visit. I doubt she’ll be as complete for all future skin exams. But the PA was great at explaining everything and making sure that I was comfortable with everything she was doing. Even when looking at sensitive areas, she always ensured that I was fine with the exam.