Detection
Moles, spots and certain growths on the skin are usually harmless – but not always. That is why it is so important to examine the skin all over your body once a month and have a physician check you over once a year. Early detection of skin cancer can ensure effective treatment.
Using a bright light and mirrors, and working from top to bottom, examine:
- head and face (use a blow-dryer to inspect your scalp)
- elbows, arms, and underarms
- neck, chest, and torso
- genitals and breasts
- back of neck, shoulders, upper arms, back, buttocks, and legs
- feet (including soles, heels, and nails)
Look for the following “ABCDE” warning signs:
- Asymmetry. Do the two halves not match if you imagine drawing a line through the mole?
hands and nails
- Borders. Are the edges uneven, scalloped or notched?
- Colors. Is there a variety of shades (brown, red, white, blue or black)?
- Diameter greater than 6mm. Is the mole the size of a pencil eraser or larger?
- Evolution. Has there been a change in size, shape, color, or height? Has a new symptom developed (such as bleeding, itching or crusting)?
- If you detect any of these warning signs, see a physician promptly. It is particularly important for you to select a physician who specializes in skin cancer and is trained to recognize a melanoma at its earliest stage.
5 Steps to Skin Cancer Self-Exam
- Using a mirror in a well lit room, check the front of your body -face, neck, shoulders, arms, chest, abdomen, thighs and lower legs.
- Turn sideways, raise your arms and look carefully at the right and left sides of your body, including the underarm area.
- With a hand-held mirror, check your upper back, neck and scalp. Next, examine your lower back, buttocks, backs of thighs and calves.
- Examine your forearms, palms, back of the hands, fingernails and in between each finger.
- Finally, check your feet – the tops, soles, toenails, toes and spaces in between.
- head and face (use a blow-dryer to inspect your scalp)
- elbows, arms, and underarms
- neck, chest, and torso
- genitals and breasts
- back of neck, shoulders, upper arms, back, buttocks, and legs
- feet (including soles, heels, and nails)
Look for the following “ABCDE” warning signs:
- Asymmetry. Do the two halves not match if you imagine drawing a line through the mole?
hands and nails
- Borders. Are the edges uneven, scalloped or notched?
- Colors. Is there a variety of shades (brown, red, white, blue or black)?
- Diameter greater than 6mm. Is the mole the size of a pencil eraser or larger?
- Evolution. Has there been a change in size, shape, color, or height? Has a new symptom developed (such as bleeding, itching or crusting)?
- If you detect any of these warning signs, see a physician promptly. It is particularly important for you to select a physician who specializes in skin cancer and is trained to recognize a melanoma at its earliest stage.
5 Steps to Skin Cancer Self-Exam
- Using a mirror in a well lit room, check the front of your body -face, neck, shoulders, arms, chest, abdomen, thighs and lower legs.
- Turn sideways, raise your arms and look carefully at the right and left sides of your body, including the underarm area.
- With a hand-held mirror, check your upper back, neck and scalp. Next, examine your lower back, buttocks, backs of thighs and calves.
- Examine your forearms, palms, back of the hands, fingernails and in between each finger.
- Finally, check your feet – the tops, soles, toenails, toes and spaces in between.
- Asymmetry. Do the two halves not match if you imagine drawing a line through the mole?
hands and nails
- Borders. Are the edges uneven, scalloped or notched?
- Colors. Is there a variety of shades (brown, red, white, blue or black)?
- Diameter greater than 6mm. Is the mole the size of a pencil eraser or larger?
- Evolution. Has there been a change in size, shape, color, or height? Has a new symptom developed (such as bleeding, itching or crusting)?
- If you detect any of these warning signs, see a physician promptly. It is particularly important for you to select a physician who specializes in skin cancer and is trained to recognize a melanoma at its earliest stage.
5 Steps to Skin Cancer Self-Exam
- Using a mirror in a well lit room, check the front of your body -face, neck, shoulders, arms, chest, abdomen, thighs and lower legs.
- Turn sideways, raise your arms and look carefully at the right and left sides of your body, including the underarm area.
- With a hand-held mirror, check your upper back, neck and scalp. Next, examine your lower back, buttocks, backs of thighs and calves.
- Examine your forearms, palms, back of the hands, fingernails and in between each finger.
- Finally, check your feet – the tops, soles, toenails, toes and spaces in between.
hands and nails
You can also visit the Save Your Skin website for a list of FAQ’s.
