You may have heard that it’s important to monitor or check your skin at home to help detect skin cancer early, but…how?
We once had the same question!
A skin check is somewhat intuitive, after all we look at ourselves every day. But when it comes to monitoring our skin for signs of skin cancer, it helps to know what we’re looking for. In short, when you do a skin check you are looking for any changes in size, shape, color or texture. See The ABCDEs of Moles and Melanoma for more information about these changes.
Here are the steps to perform a skin exam at home:
- Set aside some time in a well-lit room where you can thoroughly examine your skin. Use a full-length mirror and a hand mirror so you can see all areas of your body.
- Start at the top of your head and work your way down. Look at your scalp, face, neck, chest, and midsection. Then check under your arms, on the tops and bottoms of your hands and feet, between your fingers and toes, and on and under your nails.
- Pay close attention to any moles, freckles, or other spots on your skin. If a mole or spot looks different or is new, note it.
- Check for any open sores that are slow to heal, or any bumps or spots that are itchy, painful, or bleeding.
- Don’t forget to check your back! Use a hand mirror or ask a partner to help you check areas that are hard to see. (This is one of those rare times when a pet is less helpful than a person.)
If you notice any worrisome changes, make an appointment with a dermatologist, who can determine whether the changes are normal or need further evaluation. When in doubt, get it checked out!
Aim to do a monthly skin check and note any changes. Remember that using sunscreen and monitoring your skin at home are KEY to catching skin cancer early.
