What Actually Happens During a Skin Cancer Check, Step by Step KEY TAKEAWAY A skin cancer check is a thorough visual and dermoscopic examination of your entire skin surface, performed by a doctor or nurse trained in skin cancer medicine. It typically takes fifteen to thirty minutes, involves no pain or invasive steps, and results in either reassurance, a recommendation for monitoring, or a referral for further investigation if anything concerning is found. You've probably put off booking a skin cancer check simply because you're not sure what it actually involves, and uncertainty about a medical appointment is often enough