Skin Cancer and Prevention: 102
In January we discussed Skin cancer and its causes related to Arizona Skin Cancer 101, this article is about self-examination and the screening of Skin cancer.
Most skin cancers are treated successfully if they are caught early. Knowing your skin is key to early detection. Perform a monthly self-examination (video) to spot new or changing lesions on your skin.
Use a bright light, blow dryer, full-length mirror, hand mirror, and a stool for a comprehensive head-to-toe examination.
Follow these 7 simple steps:
Scalp: Use a blow dryer to part your hair and examine the exposed skin in sections.
Face: Use a full-length hand mirror to examine your face, including your nose, lips, and ears.
Torso: Check neck, chest, and torso, lifting breasts to view the skin underneath for women.
Arms: Examine hands, forearms, and upper arms, including palms, back of hands, and armpit area.
Back: Use two mirrors to thoroughly search the upper back for any changes in the skin.
Buttocks: Use mirrors to examine the lower back and buttocks area.
Legs: Use mirrors and a stool to examine the front and back of your legs, including your feet.
Look for any new or changing skin growths, paying attention to moles, freckles, or spots that grow in size, change color, develop crust, or bleed.
Know which marks are considered normal and non-cancerous, and be vigilant for signs like growth, color changes, crust, or bleeding.
Use the "ABCDE" rule to help you remember what to look for when examining your moles:
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Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other half. |
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Border irregularity: The edges are ragged, notched, irregular, or blurred. |
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Color: The color is not the same throughout or it has shades of tan, brown, black, red, white, or blue. |
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Diameter: The mole is greater than 6 millimeters (¼”), about the size of a pencil eraser. |
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Evolving: Spots that show any of these changes over time: Size, shape, shades of color; sensation (itching or tenderness); surface bleeding. |
Turn self-examination into a monthly habit for early detection, as early treatment of skin cancer has a high cure rate of almost 100%.
Teach kids the importance of skincare and self-examination to make it a healthy habit for them too.
Contact a board-certified physician if you notice anything suspicious for immediate attention and proper treatment.