Skin Cancer Risk Assessment
A quick self-assessment tool to help you understand your risk factors
This tool is for educational purposes only and does not replace a professional medical evaluation. If you have concerns about a skin lesion, please consult with a dermatologist.
Why Skin Cancer Risk Assessment Matters
Skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, with over 1.5 million new cases diagnosed each year. In Israel, the combination of a high UV index, an outdoor lifestyle, and a large population of fair-skinned individuals of European descent makes skin cancer rates among the highest in the developed world. The Israeli Cancer Association reports that approximately 2,000 new melanoma cases and tens of thousands of non-melanoma skin cancers are diagnosed in Israel annually. Understanding your personal risk factors is the first step toward prevention and early detection.
Who Should Take This Assessment?
This assessment is designed for anyone living in or visiting Israel who wants to understand their skin cancer risk. It is especially relevant for people with fair skin (Fitzpatrick types I and II) who burn easily, outdoor workers and athletes exposed to prolonged UV radiation, individuals over the age of 50 with cumulative sun damage, those with a family history of melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancer, patients taking immunosuppressive medications after organ transplant or for autoimmune conditions, and anyone who has noticed a new or changing mole, spot, or lesion. Israel's UV index regularly reaches 8 to 10 or higher during summer months, placing all residents at elevated risk regardless of skin type.
What Does the Assessment Cover?
This self-assessment evaluates eight established risk factors for skin cancer, based on guidelines from dermatological associations worldwide. The factors include your skin type (how easily you burn versus tan), lifetime sun exposure history, history of severe or blistering sunburns, family history of skin cancer, personal history of skin cancer or precancerous lesions such as actinic keratoses, immune system status, age group, and the presence of any new or changing skin lesions. Each factor is scored to provide an overall risk estimate ranging from low to very high.
Why Early Detection Matters
When detected at an early stage, skin cancer has a cure rate exceeding 99%. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the two most common types of skin cancer, are highly treatable when caught before they invade deeper tissues. Mohs micrographic surgery is recognized as the gold standard treatment for BCC and SCC, offering a 99% cure rate while preserving the maximum amount of healthy tissue. Even melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, has a five-year survival rate above 99% when identified at stage I. Delaying evaluation can allow a treatable lesion to progress to a stage that requires more extensive surgery or systemic treatment.
What Happens After the Assessment?
Based on your results, you will receive a personalized risk level and a recommendation for next steps. Patients at moderate to very high risk are encouraged to schedule a professional skin screening at our clinic. Dr. Yehonatan Kaplan offers a comprehensive, all-under-one-roof approach: dermoscopic evaluation using advanced digital imaging, same-day biopsy when a suspicious lesion is identified, pathology review, and if treatment is needed, Mohs micrographic surgery performed by a fellowship-trained specialist. From initial screening to definitive treatment, every step takes place in our clinic so that patients receive timely and coordinated care.
Book a Skin Screening