How to Check Your Skin for Skin Cancer

Melanoma / Skin cancer is on the rise. Have you done a skin check? Here's the facts.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A full-length mirror
• A hand-held mirror
• A blowdryer

1. While you do your skin check, learn where your birthmarks, moles and blemishes are and what they usually look like. Check for anything new, such as a change in the size, texture or color of a mole, or a sore that doesn't heal.

2. 
    
   ABCD photos

   So, what are you looking for? Here are the ABCD and E's of melanoma:
   
   A is for asymmetrical shape. Look for moles with irregular shapes, such as two very different-looking halves.
   B is for irregular border. Look for moles with irregular, notched or scalloped borders — the characteristics of melanomas.
   C is for changes in color. Look for growths that have many colors or an uneven distribution of color.
   D is for diameter. Look for growths that are larger than about 1/4 inch (6 millimeters).
   E is for evolving. Look for changes over time, such as a mole that grows in size or that changes color or shape. Moles may also evolve to develop new signs and symptoms, such as new itchiness or bleeding.
   Other suspicious changes in a mole may include:
   
   Scaliness
   Itching
   Change in texture — for instance, becoming hard or lumpy
   Spreading of pigment from the mole into the surrounding skin
   Oozing or bleeding

3. Look at the front and back of your body in the mirror, then raise your arms and look at the left and right sides.

4. Bend your elbows and look carefully at your palms and forearms, including the undersides, and your upper arms.

5. Check the back and front of your legs. Ladies, the most common place for melanoma is the back of your legs!

6. Look between your buttocks and around your genital area.

7. Sit and closely examine your feet, including the bottoms of your feet and the spaces between your toes. Also, look at your nails. Black lines or marks under your nails that don't heal in your regular healing cycle should be checked immediately.

8. Look at your face, neck and scalp. You may want to use a comb or a blow dryer to move hair so that you can see better. If you have a significant other, they can help you too by checking your scalp and behind your ears.

Tips & Warnings

• By checking yourself regularly, you'll get familiar with what's normal for you. If you find anything unusual, see your doctor. The earlier skin cancer is found, the better.
• For more information, search the internet for melanoma or skin cancer and become familiar with this preventable disease.
• Always wear sunscreen!
• For a list of doctors that offer free skin checks, go to http://www.aad.org/public/exams/screenings/index.html.
• Tanning beds increase the risk of skin cancer.
• If you see changes or have lesions or sores that don't seem to heal, get to the doctor right away. It could save your life or the life of someone you love.

Resources

• Melanoma Awareness website
• Melanoma Research Foundation

[eemie]

on 8/14/2009 These are interesting tips, thanks for the article! 5*s!

[GeorgiaGirl4U]

on 5/14/2008 Very informative

[GeorgiaGirl4U]

on 5/14/2008 Very informative.