Last updated: 2026
Skin cancer screening is a medical skin assessment used to check for suspicious moles, changing lesions, non-healing spots, and other skin changes that may require monitoring, biopsy, removal, or referral.
At The Minor Surgery Center, skin checks and mole checks are performed by GP Dermatologists. A GP Dermatologist may perform a focused skin assessment, full-body skin check, and dermoscopy-based assessment when clinically appropriate.
If a mole or skin lesion requires biopsy, excision, removal, or surgical treatment, patients may be referred or directed to one of TMSC’s board-certified plastic surgeons.
The pathway is simple:
If you need a skin check, book with a GP Dermatologist. If a lesion has already been assessed and removal or biopsy has been recommended, book for surgical intervention with a plastic surgeon.
Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers, and early detection can make treatment simpler and more effective.
Many people delay getting a changing mole or non-healing lesion checked because they are unsure where to go. Some wait for a traditional dermatology referral. Others look for private mole mapping, walk-in clinics, or cosmetic removal options.
The right clinic depends on what you need.
If you need assessment, dermoscopy, or a full-body skin check, book with a provider who performs skin checks.
If you need biopsy, excision, or removal, book with a surgical provider.
At The Minor Surgery Center, patients can access both pathways through the appropriate provider.
Skin cancer screening is a clinical assessment of the skin. It may involve checking one specific lesion or reviewing the skin more broadly for suspicious spots.
A screening appointment may look for signs of:
At TMSC, this type of assessment is performed by GP Dermatologists.
A GP Dermatologist may use a dermatoscope when clinically appropriate. A dermatoscope is a handheld tool used to examine skin structures that may not be visible to the naked eye.
Plastic surgeons at TMSC do not perform dermoscopy-based skin checks. Their role is surgical treatment when biopsy, removal, excision, or closure is needed.
You may want to book a skin check if you notice:
These signs do not confirm skin cancer. They simply mean the lesion should be assessed by an appropriate medical provider.
For mole-specific concerns, see Mole Check Toronto.
A skin cancer screening may include several steps.
The GP Dermatologist may ask about:
A lesion that has changed quickly may require a different pathway than a mole that has been stable for years.
The provider examines the area of concern and may perform a broader skin check if appropriate.
This may involve checking the lesion’s:
A GP Dermatologist may use a dermatoscope to examine a mole or skin lesion more closely.
Dermoscopy can help identify features that are not obvious with visual inspection alone. It does not replace pathology, but it can help guide whether monitoring, biopsy, removal, or referral may be appropriate.
At TMSC, dermoscopy-based checks are performed by GP Dermatologists.
After the assessment, the provider may recommend:
If biopsy, excision, or surgical treatment is needed, the patient may be referred or directed to one of TMSC’s plastic surgeons.
These services are often confused, but they are not the same.
A skin check is a clinical assessment performed by a medical provider. It may focus on one lesion or involve a full-body skin check.
At TMSC, this is performed by GP Dermatologists.
Mole mapping usually involves photography or digital imaging to track moles over time.
It may be useful for people with many moles, atypical moles, or higher melanoma risk. Mole mapping is not the same as surgical removal or biopsy.
For more detail, read Mole Mapping vs. Full Body Mole Check.
A biopsy is a procedure where tissue is removed and sent to pathology.
Pathology is what confirms whether tissue is benign, atypical, precancerous, or cancerous.
At TMSC, biopsy and excision are performed by plastic surgeons when appropriate.
Mole removal or excision physically removes a lesion from the skin.
This may be done for cosmetic reasons, comfort, irritation, biopsy, or treatment of a confirmed or suspected lesion.
Learn more about Toronto Mole Removal & Surgery.
Skin cancer treatment depends on the diagnosis, lesion type, location, size, depth, margins, and overall clinical situation.
Basal cell carcinoma is a common form of skin cancer. It often appears as a non-healing spot, pearly bump, pink patch, or lesion that bleeds or crusts.
Treatment may involve surgical removal when appropriate.
Learn more about Basal Cell Carcinoma Removal.
Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as a rough, scaly, crusted, tender, or growing lesion.
Some squamous cell carcinomas can become more invasive, so timely assessment and treatment matter.
Learn more about Squamous Cell Carcinoma Surgery.
Melanoma can appear as a changing mole, new dark spot, irregular lesion, or mole that looks different from the others.
If melanoma is suspected or confirmed, treatment depends on pathology and staging.
Learn more about Melanoma Surgery.
Not every skin check leads to a procedure.
A GP Dermatologist may recommend biopsy or removal if a lesion has concerning features, has changed, is symptomatic, or needs tissue analysis.
If biopsy or removal is recommended, a plastic surgeon may perform the procedure when appropriate.
The removed tissue may be sent to pathology. The pathology report helps determine:
If pathology identifies skin cancer, the next step depends on the result.
Possible next steps may include:
Some skin cancer surgeries may be performed at TMSC. Other cases may require a different care pathway depending on the diagnosis and clinical situation.
For more information, see Skin Cancer Treatment.
The cost of skin cancer screening in Toronto depends on the type of clinic, provider, referral pathway, and service.
Common options may include:
At TMSC, consultations are free. Pricing or coverage for treatment depends on the reason for removal, whether the procedure is cosmetic or medically necessary, whether pathology is required, and applicable OHIP rules.
Cosmetic mole removal is not covered by OHIP.
If a lesion requires biopsy or treatment for medical reasons, the clinic can confirm coverage and cost details before treatment.
No referral is needed to contact The Minor Surgery Center.
However, the correct appointment depends on your concern.
Book with a GP Dermatologist if:
Book with a plastic surgeon if:
If you are unsure which appointment to book, the TMSC team can help route you to the appropriate provider.
Before your appointment:
If another provider already recommended biopsy or removal, bring that information with you.
Skin cancer prevention focuses on reducing UV damage and noticing changes early.
Helpful steps include:
Self-checks do not replace professional assessment, but they can help you notice changes sooner.
For visual education, read Skin Cancer Images: A Visual Guide.
You may also find these pages helpful:
TMSC provides mole checks and skin assessments with GP Dermatologists. A GP Dermatologist may perform a focused or full-body skin check and may use a dermatoscope when clinically appropriate.
Plastic surgeons at TMSC provide biopsy, removal, excision, closure, and surgical treatment when appropriate.
GP Dermatologists at TMSC may use dermatoscopes during mole checks or skin assessments when clinically appropriate.
Plastic surgeons do not perform dermoscopy-based mole checks.
Screening is an assessment. It helps determine whether a lesion may need monitoring, referral, biopsy, or removal.
A biopsy is a procedure where tissue is removed and sent to pathology. Pathology confirms what the tissue is.
Yes. Patients can contact TMSC directly.
The right appointment depends on whether you need a GP Dermatologist skin check or a plastic surgeon for biopsy, removal, excision, or treatment.
Yes, depending on the situation and provider availability.
A GP Dermatologist may assess the lesion first. If biopsy or removal is appropriate, the patient may be referred or directed to a plastic surgeon.
Coverage depends on the provider, referral pathway, medical necessity, and the service being performed.
Cosmetic mole removal is not covered by OHIP. If a lesion requires biopsy or treatment for medical reasons, coverage may vary depending on the clinical situation and applicable OHIP rules.
The right frequency depends on your risk factors, mole count, personal history, family history, and whether you have changing lesions.
A GP Dermatologist, dermatologist, or family doctor can advise what schedule makes sense for you.
If a family doctor, dermatologist, GP Dermatologist, or another provider has already recommended biopsy or removal, book with a plastic surgeon for surgical consultation and treatment planning.
If you are unsure, book a mole check or skin assessment with a GP Dermatologist.
If pathology confirms skin cancer, the next step depends on the type of cancer, margins, location, and clinical situation. Next steps may include further excision, follow-up, referral, or coordination with another specialist.
Skin cancer screening is the assessment step. Biopsy, mole removal, and excision are surgical treatment steps.
At The Minor Surgery Center, mole checks and skin assessments are performed by GP Dermatologists. GP Dermatologists may use dermatoscopes when clinically appropriate.
Plastic surgeons perform biopsy, removal, excision, closure, and surgical treatment when needed.
If you need assessment, book a mole check with a GP Dermatologist.
If a lesion has already been assessed and biopsy or removal has been recommended, book for mole removal or surgical treatment.
