As the most common form of cancer in the United States, skin cancer will affect one in five Americans in their lifetime. Fortunately, when it’s detected early, skin cancer is highly treatable. That’s why it’s important to examine your skin about once a month for anything new, changing, or unusual. This includes issues such as open sores that don’t heal, growths or moles that grow or change color, and growths that appear tan, brown, black, multicolored, pearly, or transparent. Below are four tips for performing a thorough self-examination. 

4 Tips for Performing a Skin Cancer Self-Exam

1. Face, Neck, & Scalp

Use a hand mirror to examine your face carefully. Pay particularly close attention to your nose, lips, mouth, and ears. Then, examine the front and back of the neck and scalp. When inspecting your scalp, part your hair for a better view. 

2. Hands & Arms

Examine your palms, the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and beneath your fingernails. Next, look at the front and back of your wrists and forearms. Then, stand in front of a full-length mirror to examine all sides of your elbows, upper arms, and underarms.

3. Torso & Back 

Standing in front of a full-length mirror and raising both arms, examine the front and sides of your torso. Then, turn your back to the mirror and, also using a hand mirror, examine the back of your shoulders, upper back, lower back, buttocks, and backs of your legs. 

4. Legs & Feet

Finally, sit down and prop both legs on another chair or stool. Use a hand mirror to examine your genitals, legs, ankles, tops of feet, between toes, beneath toenails, soles of feet, and heels. If you do spot something unusual, contact your doctor to schedule an appointment. 

If you notice anything new, changing, or unusual during your self-examination, visit a dermatologist right away. At Kailua Dermatology Associates in Oahu, HI, Dr. Phillip Hellreich, MD, uses state-of-the-art equipment and over 45 years of experience to diagnose and treat skin cancer. He and his compassionate team also specialize in a variety of other skin disorders such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and eczema. Learn more about this trusted dermatologist online and call (808) 261-613 to schedule an appointment.