How to Perform a Skin Cancer Self-Exam

Early detection of skin cancer is key to treating it. You can take an active role in your skin health by performing a regular self-exam. In fact, you’re the best person to monitor your body for early signs and symptoms of skin cancer—when it is least dangerous and easiest to treat and cure.

Performing a skin cancer self-exam can save your life and it only takes ten minutes to do at home. Let’s go over the early signs of skin cancer and the steps for completing a successful self-exam.

In early stages of skin cancer, you may be the first to spot it. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, about half of melanomas are self-detected by patients. By performing a monthly skin check, you can advocate for your skin health and potentially save your own life.

There are three types of skin cancer:

1. Basal cell carcinoma,
2. Squamous cell carcinoma
3. Melanoma.

The two most common types of skin cancer—basal and squamous cell carcinoma—affect more than 3 million Americans a year. Fortunately, they’re nearly always curable and almost never spread to other areas of the body. They can, however, cause disfiguration and long-term damage if not treated quickly.

Melanoma, on the other hand, can spread to other organs. When melanoma spreads, it can be deadly— tens of thousands of new cases of melanoma are diagnosed in the U.S. every year, leading to more than 8,000 deaths annually.

Remember that early detection of melanoma, before it spreads to the lymph nodes, has a 99% survival rate. For this reason, self-exams should be an essential part of your skin care routine.

Skin cancers vary in appearance, which is why it’s most important to look for new or unusual changes in your skin.

This includes changes in moles or the appearance of new marks, patches, or growths on your skin.

Here are some of the signs of melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma that you should look out for:

• New moles or marks
• Moles that look different from your existing moles
• New patches that are flaky, scaly, pebbly, or rough feeling
• New areas that are red or brownish
• Changes in the size, shape, color, or texture of a mole
• Firm, flesh-colored bumps
• A sore that doesn’t heal or one that itches or burns

If you notice any of these changes, make note and continue to monitor them. If they don’t clear up over the course of a month, consult your doctor.

You’ll need a few things to perform a thorough self-exam:

• Hand mirror (A hand mirror helps you examine hard-to-see places such as the back of your ears and genital areas.)
• Full-length mirror
• Camera or notepad
• A room with plenty of light

If you spot any of the early signs of skin cancer, you should get examined by your doctor at once. However, even if you don’t notice signs, you might consider getting a skin check done by your doctor on an annual basis.

Professional skin checks can be performed by your primary physician or a dermatologist. This exam involves checking your skin, particularly hard-to-see areas. If your doctor finds a suspicious spot, he/she may biopsy it and send it to the lab for analysis.

Ultimately, preventive screenings such as a professional skin check can increase your chances of early skin cancer detection.