Skin Cancer Screening

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime – approximately 9,500 people are diagnosed each day. Anyone can get skin cancer, no matter sex, skin color or race, which is why skin cancer screenings are essential. 

A skin cancer screening is a visual inspection of your skin done by a medical professional. The exam typically takes about 10 to 20 minutes. 

These exams can help detect skin cancer early and increase the chances of curing it. When found early and given the proper treatment, the cure rate for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is about 95%. 

Regular self-skin exams are an effective way to detect skin cancer early and are a healthy habit to adopt. Here's how to examine your skin and what signs to look for:

Steps for a Skin Exam: 

1. Preparation: Use a well-lit room, a full-length mirror, and a handheld mirror for hard-to-see areas like your back and scalp. 

2. Initial Check: Stand facing the mirror to inspect your face, ears, neck, and below. Women should lift their breasts to check the skin underneath. 

3. Arms and Hands: Examine your underarms, both sides of your arms, tops and palms of your hands, between fingers and under your nails. 

4. Lower Body: Sit to inspect the front of your thighs, shins, tops of feet, between toes and under toenails. 

5. Back and Legs: Use the handheld mirror to check the back of your thighs, calves and bottoms of your feet. 

6. Torso: Inspect your buttocks, genital area, lower and upper back, and the back of your neck and ears. 

7. Scalp: Part your hair with a comb or hairdryer to examine your scalp. 

What to Look For: 

Different types of skin cancer can appear in various ways. These are the most important things to watch for during a skin exam.  

- New, expanding, or changing spots or bumps 

- Sores that bleed or don't heal after several weeks 

- Rough, red patches that might crust or bleed 

- Wart-like growths 

- Moles that change in size, shape, or color 

- Moles with irregular shapes, borders, or areas of different colors

Pro tip: If you notice a spot you aren't sure of, take a picture of it to compare the next time you do a skin check. 

When checking for Melanoma, remember your ABCDEs:  

- Asymmetry: One half doesn't match the other. 

- Border: Uneven or irregular edges. 

- Color: Multiple shades of brown or black, sometimes with white, gray, blue, or red. 

- Diameter: Larger than 6 mm (the size of a pencil eraser). 

- Evolution: Changes over time.