What's the Best Way to Do a Skin Self-Exam?

According to the experts, skin cancers are almost always curable if found and treated in the earliest stages. And you can improve your chances of detecting skin cancers by performing a skin self-exam every month.

What to Look For
While skin cancer can be found anywhere on the body, it most often develops on the head, face, neck, hands and arms. Skin cancer can appear as a:

• Reddened lump.
• Small, smooth, shiny, pale or waxy bump.
• Flat, red spot that is rough, dry or scaly.

The most lethal form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma, usually begins in a mole. When examining moles, look for the “ABCDs” of malignant melanoma:

• Asymmetrical shape, meaning that one side of the mole doesn’t match the other side.
• Borders that are irregular, uneven or ragged.
• Color that varies from one area to another.
• Diameter larger than six millimeters, or bigger than the standard eraser on the end of a pencil.

How to Check Your Skin
Now that you know what to look for, here’s how to examine your skin:

• Stand in front of a wall mirror in a well-lighted room, just after a shower or bath.
• Examine your face, neck, chest, arms, hands, stomach and genital area.
• Use a hand mirror to help you better see your buttocks and upper back in the full mirror reflection.
• Sit down to examine your legs, the tops and soles of your feet, and in between your toes. Use the hand mirror to check the backs of your legs.

If you notice anything questionable, see your doctor.

Regular professional skin exams are important, too. Based on your personal risk factors and family history, your doctor can help you decide how often you should be checked.

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