Skin cancer care
Screening, biopsy, and surgical treatment of skin cancer.
Florida sun exposure makes routine skin checks essential. Dr. Hudgens provides expert evaluation, in-office surgical removal, and ongoing surveillance for high-risk skin.
Skin cancer services
What we offer.
Each service has its own page with full details, what to expect, and FAQs.
Why screening matters
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S.
One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. In Florida, that risk is higher: sun exposure is year-round, and damage accumulates from childhood onward.
The good news: when caught early, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas have cure rates above 95%. Early-stage melanoma has a 5-year survival rate of 99%. Annual full-body skin exams are the single most reliable way to catch problems early.
At-home self-check
The ABCDE rule for evaluating moles.
Use this monthly. Any spot that meets one or more of these criteria deserves a closer look.
Asymmetry
One half of a mole or birthmark doesn't match the other.
Border
Edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
Color
Color is not uniform: shades of brown, black, pink, red, white, or blue.
Diameter
The spot is larger than ¼ inch (about 6 mm), though melanomas can be smaller.
Evolving
The mole is changing in size, shape, color, or beginning to bleed or itch.
Found something concerning? Don't wait. Request an appointment or text the office at 407-704-7546.
When Mohs is the right call
Coordinated referral for complex or facial cancers.
Mohs micrographic surgery offers the highest cure rate for skin cancers in cosmetically sensitive areas (face, ears, hands, and lower legs) and for recurrent or aggressive tumors. Mohs preserves as much healthy tissue as possible by checking margins under the microscope during the procedure.
When Mohs is the right approach, we refer to a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon and stay involved in your care from biopsy to follow-up.
Frequently asked
Questions patients ask before their skin check.
How often should I have a skin check?
Most adults benefit from a full-body skin exam once a year. Higher-risk patients (fair skin, family history of melanoma, significant sun exposure, or a previous skin cancer) may benefit from every six months.
Does the screening hurt?
No. A skin exam is visual and entirely non-invasive. Your provider uses a dermatoscope to examine suspicious lesions more closely.
Will my insurance cover the visit?
Most major insurance plans cover medically necessary skin cancer screenings. Bring your insurance card to your visit; our team can verify coverage in advance if you text or call ahead.
What if you find something suspicious?
If a lesion looks concerning, we'll discuss next steps with you and may perform a biopsy in the same visit. Most biopsies take only a few minutes.
Do you remove skin cancers in the office?
Yes. Dr. Hudgens performs surgical excision of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, as well as select early melanomas, in our Windermere office. For complex or facial cancers, we coordinate referral to a Mohs surgeon.
Next step
Schedule your skin check.
Send a quick message and our team will reach out to schedule. Most patients can be seen within the same week.