To find skin cancer early, you don’t need X-rays or blood tests, you just need your eyes and a mirror. If you have skin cancer, the best way to ensure that it can be successfully treated is to find it early.
Although the American Cancer Society does not provide guidelines for the early detection of skin cancer, many doctors recommend that you examine your skin on a regular basis, usually once a month.
Regular skin self-exams are especially important for people who are at increased risk of skin cancer, such as people with reduced immunity, people who have had skin cancer in the past, and people with a strong family history of skin cancer. Ask your doctor how often you should have your skin exam.
It’s best to do your skin self-exam in a brightly lit room in front of a full-length mirror. You can use a hand mirror to see difficult areas, such as the back of your thighs. Your partner or a trusted friend or family member can help you with these exams, especially for hard-to-see areas such as your back or scalp.
The first time you examine your skin, take the time to carefully examine the entire surface. You will need to know the pattern of moles, blemishes, freckles, and other marks on your skin so that you can detect any changes during your next self-exam. Be sure to show your doctor any areas of concern.
Follow these step-by-step instructions to examine your skin:
In front of the mirror
Examine his face, ears, neck, chest, and abdomen. Women will need to lift their breasts to examine the skin under them.
Check the areas under your arms, both sides of your arms, the palms and tops of your hands, the skin between your fingers, and your fingernails.
Sitting
Check the front of your thighs, shins (lower legs), tops of your feet, the skin between your toes, and your lunulae (roots of your nails).
Now use a hand mirror to look at the bottoms of your feet, calves, and thighs. Examine one leg at a time.
Use a hand mirror to examine your buttocks, genital area, lower back, upper back, and the back of your neck and ears. It may also be easier to see your back in a wall mirror using a hand mirror.
Use a comb or hair dryer to part your hair so you can examine your scalp.
The best time to do a skin self-exam is after you bathe or shower. Examine any moles, spots, or birthmarks from head to toe. By examining your skin regularly, you will know what is normal for your skin.
What signs should I look for?
Not all skin cancers look the same. In fact, skin cancers can come in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes they can even resemble other skin conditions. Many skin cancers are more common on parts of the body that tend to get more sun exposure, such as the face, head, neck, and arms. But skin cancers can occur anywhere on the body.
Some of the most common ways skin cancers can appear are:
- A new growth, spot, or bump on the skin, which changes or expands
- An ulcer that bleeds and/or does not heal after several weeks
- A red spot that is rough or scaly, and may bleed or crust over
- A wart-like growth
- A mole (or other skin blemish) that is new or changes in size, shape, or color
- A mole with an odd shape, irregular edges, or areas of different colors
But it’s important to understand that these aren’t the only ways skin cancer can show up. For more information on what skin cancer might look like,
