Skin Cancer Detection: Performing a Skin Self-Exam
When caught and treated early, skin cancers are highly curable. This is why skin self-exams are so important! For skin cancer awareness month I filmed a video with an overview on how to perform a head-to-toe skin self-exam which can identify any potentially worrisome spots on your skin. You can watch the video here.
Regular skin self-exams are especially important for people who are at higher risk of skin cancer, including people who have had skin cancer before and those with a family history of skin cancer.
The first time you perform a skin self-exam, spend time carefully going over the entire surface. Learn the pattern of your moles, freckles, and other marks on your skin so that you’ll notice any changes over time.
If you notice a spot that is different from others (“ugly duckling” sign), or that changes, itches or bleeds, you should get it checked. It is also important to consult a doctor as soon as possible if any of your moles or pigmented spots exhibit any of the potential markers of melanoma known as the ABCDEs:
▪️ Asymmetry - One half of the spot is unlike the other half.
▪️ Border - The spot has an irregular or poorly defined border.
▪️ Color - The spot has varying colors such as shades of tan, brown or black, or areas of white, red, or blue.
▪️Diameter - Melanomas are usually greater than 6 mm, or about the size of a pencil eraser, when diagnosed, but can be smaller.
▪️Evolving - The spot looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape, or color.
Now that you know what to look for, here are a few tips on how to perform your self-exam:
✅ Examine your body in a full-length mirror, with good lighting.
✅ Examine your body front and back in the mirror, then look at the right and left sides with your arms raised.
✅ Bend elbows and look carefully at forearms, underarms, and palms.
✅ Look at the backs of your legs and feet, the spaces between your toes, and the soles of your feet.
✅ Use a hand mirror to examine your neck and scalp Part hair for a closer look.
✅ Finally, check your back and buttocks with a hand mirror.
For more helpful information check out https://www.aad.org/public/public-health/awareness-campaigns/practice-safe-sun and https://www.skincancer.org/.