How To Do A Self
Learning how to do a skin self-exam could save your life.
Skin cancer is one of the few cancers you can see with the naked eye, said Dr. Ali Hendi, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Yet sadly, many people dont know how to be their own hero when it comes to skin cancer, including what to look for on their skin or when to see a board-certified dermatologist, he added in an American Academy of Dermatology news release.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. One in five Americans develops skin cancer, and one person dies every hour from melanoma, the deadliest form of the disease.
To check your skin, use a full-length mirror to examine your entire body, front and back. Then, raise your arms and look at your right and left sides, Hendi said.
Bend your elbows and carefully check your forearms, underarms and palms. Look at the backs of your legs and feet, between your toes, and the soles of your feet. With nail polish removed, check your fingernails and toenails, as well.
Use a hand mirror to check the back of your neck and scalp, and part your hair for a closer look. Finally, check your back and buttocks with a hand mirror. Ask a partner to help check your back and other hard-to-see areas.
While performing a skin self-exam, keep in mind that skin cancer can develop anywhere on the skin, not just in areas that are exposed to the sun, Hendi said.
How To Check Your Skin
- Make sure you check your entire body, as skin cancers can sometimes occur on parts of the body that are not exposed to the sun, such as the soles of the feet, between fingers and toes and under nails.
- Undress completely and make sure you have good light.
- Use a mirror to check hard to see spots, like your back and scalp, or get a family member, partner or friend to check for you.
How To Check For Skin Cancer
This article was medically reviewed by . Dr. Litza is a board certified Family Medicine Physician in Wisconsin. She is a practicing Physician and taught as a Clinical Professor for 13 years, after receiving her MD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health in 1998.There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 786,826 times.
Early detection of skin cancer is important and can be lifesaving, especially for certain types of skin cancer such as melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It is estimated that 76,380 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in 2016 and over 13,000 will die from the skin cancer.XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Cancer SocietyNonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and supportGo to source Given that timing is so crucial to diagnosing and treating skin cancer, you should follow a few simple steps to learn how to detect skin cancer on your skin.
Read Also: What Does Well Differentiated Squamous Cell Carcinoma Mean
Lab Tests Of Biopsy Samples
Samples from any biopsies will be sent to a lab, where a doctor called a pathologist will look at them under a microscope for melanoma cells. Often, skin samples are sent to a dermatopathologist, a doctor who has special training in looking at skin samples.
If the doctor cant tell for sure if melanoma cells are in the sample just by looking at it, special lab tests will be done on the cells to try to confirm the diagnosis. These might include:
- Immunohistochemistry
- Fluorescence in situ hybridization
- Comparative genomic hybridization
- Gene expression profiling
If melanoma is found in the samples, the pathologist will look at certain important features such as the tumor thickness and mitotic rate . These features help determine the stage of the melanoma , which in turn can affect treatment options and prognosis .
People At Higher Risk Of Melanoma
Some people have a higher than normal risk of developing melanoma. This includes people who have:
- had a melanoma in the past
- a family history of melanoma
- many moles
- had an organ transplant
If you have any of these, your doctor can refer you to a skin specialist who can show you how to check your skin each month for abnormal moles.
Some people have a much higher than normal risk of melanoma and should have regular checks by a skin cancer specialist. This includes people who:
- have 2 family members with melanoma and also have a lot of large, irregularly shaped moles
- were born with a very large mole
- have 3 or more people in their family diagnosed with melanoma or pancreatic cancer
- have had more than 1 melanoma
Your skin cancer specialist or nurse can examine your skin. They are trained to look out for moles that may be starting to become cancerous. If you have any moles that could be a melanoma, they can remove them at the clinic. By removing suspicious moles early, they can prevent an invasive melanoma developing.
-
Revised guidelines for the management of cutaneous melanoma 2010JR Marsden and others
Don’t Miss: How Often Does Squamous Cell Carcinoma Spread
Surgical Lymph Node Biopsy
This procedure can be used to remove an enlarged lymph node through a small incision in the skin. A local anesthetic is generally used if the lymph node is just under the skin, but the person may need to be sedated or even asleep if the lymph node is deeper in the body.
This type of biopsy is often done if a lymph nodes size suggests the melanoma has spread there but an FNA biopsy of the node wasnt done or didnt find any melanoma cells.
How To Check For Skin Cancer At Home
Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the United States. It can be caused by sun exposure and the UV rays found in tanning beds, which means you need to take extra precautions to avoid it, especially in Florida. A skin exam should be a regular part of your self-care routine, but here are some reasons why its so important to check for skin cancer at home.
Also Check: What Is The Life Expectancy Of Someone With Metastatic Melanoma
Ways To Check For Skin Cancer With Your Smartphone
Your phone can help you recognize suspicious moles and marks, but you should still see a dermatologist about concerns.
Early detection of skin cancer could be the difference between a simple mole removal or several rounds of chemotherapy.
While skin care advice most commonly comes about at the brink of summer, your skin can get damaged by UV rays no matter what time of year, no matter what the weather. Skin cancer accounts for more diagnoses each year than all other cancers, but the good news is that early detection could be the difference between a simple mole removal or malignant cancer that spreads to other parts of the body.
A handful of smartphone apps and devices claim to aid early detection and keep you on track with regular self-exams. You can capture photos of suspicious moles or marks and track them yourself, or send them off to a dermatologist for assessment. Either way, these apps can be helpful, but they do have limitations, so it’s important to follow conventional wisdom to protect yourself. Here’s what you need to know about using your smartphone to detect skin cancer.
Read more: Wrinkles, sun damage & acne scars: This machine revealed all of the flaws on my face | Best sunscreens for 2020: Neutrogena, EltaMD, Supergoop and more
Positron Emission Tomography Scan
A PET scan can help show if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body. It is most useful in people with more advanced stages of melanoma.
For this test, you are injected with a slightly radioactive form of sugar, which collects mainly in cancer cells. A special camera is then used to create a picture of areas of radioactivity in the body.
PET/CT scan: Many centers have special machines that do both a PET and CT scan at the same time . This lets the doctor compare areas of higher radioactivity on the PET scan with the more detailed appearance of that area on the CT scan.
Also Check: What Does Skin Cancer On The Hand Look Like
Detect Skin Cancer: How To Perform A Skin Self
¿Cómo se ve el cáncer de la piel? ¿Cómo puedo prevenir el cáncer de piel?¿Estoy en riesgo de desarrollar melanoma?Cáncer de piel en personas de colorCómo examinar sus manchasNoe Rozas comparte su
How to check your skin for skin cancer
Follow these tips from board-certified dermatologists to increase your chances of spotting skin cancer early, when its most treatable.
If you notice any new spots on your skin, spots that are different from others, or spots that are changing, itching or bleeding, make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist.
Anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of skin color. It is estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. When caught early, skin cancer is highly treatable.
You can detect skin cancer early by following dermatologists tips for checking your skin. Download the AAD’s body mole map to document your self-examination, or the How to SPOT Skin Cancer infographic and know what to look for when checking your spots.
If you notice a spot that is different from others, or that changes, itches or bleeds, you should make an appointment to see a dermatologist.
Skin Cancer Self Exam
Its important to check yourself regularly for any early signs of skin cancer. Check your body once a month during the same time every month. You can mark on your calendar when you should do this so it becomes part of your regular routine.
Look carefully at your entire body for any new spots, moles or other changes. These changes include:
- A new spot or sore that doesnt heal within a few weeks
- A red or scaly patch
- An itch that doesnt go away
- A mole with an irregular border and multiple colors
Be aware that skin cancers can show up anywhere on your skin, including your scalp, ears, arms, and legs. Ask a loved one to check your back, scalp or other hard to see areas on your body.
If you detect any changes to your skin, it is essential to schedule an appointment with a trusted dermatologist right away for a full skin assessment.
You May Like: How Long Does Squamous Cell Carcinoma Take To Spread
A Primer On Skin Cancer
Malignant melanoma, especially in the later stages, is serious and treatment is difficult. Early diagnosis and treatment can increase the survival rate. Nonmelanoma skin cancers include basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Both are common and are almost always cured when found early and treated. People who’ve had skin cancer once are at risk for getting it again they should get a checkup at least once a year.
Visit Forcare In Tampa Fl For A Skin Cancer Screening
A skin cancer screening is a visual assessment of your skin by trained professional staff. All areas of the skin are examined from the scalp down to the toes. ForCares medical professional team will check for skin cancer and look for any suspicious lesions like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinomas, atypical moles and malignant melanoma. We recommend that everyone have yearly skin cancer screenings with their dermatologist. Request your appointment with our team today.
You May Like: How To Say Squamous Cell Carcinoma
The Importance Of Annual Exams
The easiest and most effective way to detect skin cancer is to self-check your skin and go to a dermatologist regularly for a check-up.
Experts disagree on what groups of people should get annual exams: Some say you only need a screening if you have suspicious moles or risk factors for melanoma others say everyone should get an annual skin check.
A few factors increase your risk of skin cancer, and if you have any of these, you would benefit from a yearly check-up:
- Fair skin, light eyes and blonde or red hair
- Skin that burns or freckles easily
- A family history of any type of skin cancer
- History of tanning bed use
- History of severe sunburns
- Unusual moles or more than 50 moles on your body
For now, even though these apps may be helpful in some ways, your best bet is to seek the professional opinion of a dermatologist or doctor if you notice any suspicious moles or other warning signs of skin cancer.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
Should I Use A Skin Cancer Detection App
Anything that reminds you to look for signs of skin cancer is a good thing. However, some smartphone apps claim to be able to assess certain skin changes and inform individuals whether such changes warrant a visit to a dermatologist for further analysis.
Thus far, the accuracy of these is not high enough and relying solely on an app, rather than on your own observations and visits to a doctor, you could put yourself at risk by delaying a visit to the doctor when one is warranted. In one recent study, the most accurate skin cancer detection app missed almost 30% of melanomas, diagnosing them as low-risk lesions.
However, these apps are evolving, and one day they could become part of the arsenal to help detect skin cancer. Smartphones can be useful in terms of telemedicine. For instance, in locations where dermatologists may not be readily available, a local physician can send a photo of a suspicious mole to a dermatologist and based on visual inspection and communication with that physician, determine what steps to take next.
Read Also: What Is Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- What should I look for when I do a self-examination of my skin?
- I have a mole thats getting bigger. Could it be skin cancer?
- I spent a lot of time in the sun as a child. Should I be checked for skin cancer regularly?
- My father had skin cancer. Am I more likely to have it, too?
- I have darker skin. Can I still get skin cancer?
- How quickly does my type of skin cancer grow and spread?
- Do I have an increased risk of additional skin cancers?
- Should I see a skin cancer specialist?
Potential Benefits Of Skin Cancer Detection Apps
Healthcare professionals have expressed two main arguments related to skin cancer detection apps. The first raises concern that people may rely on apps and consumer devices to assess their risk of skin cancer, which could lead to delayed diagnosis. The second praises these apps for raising awareness among the public and encouraging people to take better care of their skin.
Both arguments are valid.
In the SkinVision study, for example, the researchers say, “We see the main potential for the smartphone applications in the improvement of the patient-doctor communication by making aware of the need of skin cancer screening and by giving a basis of interaction.”
Additionally, apps like MoleScope that send images to dermatologists can serve as the first step in receiving a professional exam. All skin cancer biopsies begin with a visual exam, after all. However, you shouldn’t use any at-home app or device to replace professional medical care for any condition.
Most skin cancer app developers know this and include a disclaimer on their websites that their app is not a replacement for professional healthcare.
Also Check: What Causes Small Cell Carcinoma
How To Spot Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is by far the most common type of cancer. If you know what to look for, you can spot warning signs of skin cancer early. Finding it early, when its small and has not spread, makes skin cancer much easier to treat.
Some doctors and other health care professionals include skin exams as part of routine health check-ups. Many doctors also recommend that you check your own skin about once a month. Look at your skin in a well-lit room in front of a full-length mirror. Use a hand-held mirror to look at areas that are hard to see.
Use the ABCDE rule to look for some of the common signs of melanoma, one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer:
AsymmetryOne part of a mole or birthmark doesnt match the other.
BorderThe edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
ColorThe color is not the same all over and may include shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of pink, red, white, or blue.
DiameterThe spot is larger than ¼ inch across about the size of a pencil eraser although melanomas can sometimes be smaller than this.
EvolvingThe mole is changing in size, shape, or color.
Basal and squamous cell skin cancers are more common than melanomas, but they are usually very treatable.
Both basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, or cancers, usually grow on parts of the body that get the most sun, such as the face, head, and neck. But they can show up anywhere.
Basal cell carcinomas: what to look for:
Squamous cell carcinomas: what to look for:
Less Common Skin Cancers
Uncommon types of skin cancer include Kaposi’s sarcoma, mainly seen in people with weakened immune systems sebaceous gland carcinoma, an aggressive cancer originating in the oil glands in the skin and Merkel cell carcinoma, which is usually found on sun-exposed areas on the head, neck, arms, and legs but often spreads to other parts of the body.
Recommended Reading: How Do You Remove Skin Cancer