Early Detection of Skin Cancer
Early Detection is the Key to the Successful Cure of Skin Cancer
Skin cancers are highly preventable by employing sensible prevention methods on a regular basis. Skin cancers are also nearly 100% curable if found early!
Know your skin! Skin cancers are nearly 100% curable if found early. Self exams are a great for early detection. Here you will find all that is needed to do a skin exam right at home.
Look For: New moles, new firm fleshy bumps, and sores that do not heal. Don't forget the ABCDEs:
- Asymmetry: one side does not match the other
- Border: notched or ragged -- not uniform
- Color: uneven tone, or more than one color within the same mole
- Diameter: Larger than 6 mm or the size of a pencil eraser
- Evolving: A mole that changes in size, color shape or height, or develops symptoms such as itching, burning or bleeding.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 30 to 60 minutes
Here's How:
- Start with your face and neck. Don't forget your ears and scalp -- that's where the blow dryer comes in handy.
- Look at the front of your torso. Ladies -- under the breasts, too.
- Look at the back of your torso, top to bottom. This is one time that the mirrors come in handy.
- Hold your arms above your head and check your sides and underarm areas.
- With elbows bent, check your hands and forearms very carefully on both sides. Upper arms, too.
- Check the front back, and sides of your legs, one at a time. Use the hand mirror and be thorough. The legs are one of the most common sites for melanoma.
- Check the "underpants" areas, too. Yes, even between the buttocks.
- Carefully examine your feet, including in between your toes and the soles of your feet.
Tips:
- How Often? Some doctors recommend once per year, other suggest as often as once a month. Ask your doctor what is right for you.
- Check When? Straight out of the shower is the best time. You're all clean and aware of yourself -- plus you're already naked.
- Check for What? One more time, here are the things you should be looking for -- new moles, new firm fleshy bumps, and sores that do not heal. Don't forget the ABCDEs:
- Asymmetry: one side does not match the other
- Border: notched or ragged - not uniform
- Color: uneven tone, or more than one color within the same mole
- Diameter: Larger than 6 mm. or the size of a pencil eraser
- Evolving: A mole that changes in size, color shape or height, or develops symptoms such as itching, burning or bleeding.
- Your Normal Moles - Don't forget to pay attention to your usual markings. Then you'll know if they have changed in any way.
- Write it Down - Subsequent checks go more quickly if you have something to compare with.
What You Need:
- Lots of light
- Full length mirror
- Hand mirror
- Blow dryer
- A little privacy
Suggested Reading:
Sources:
American Academy of Dermatologists
United States Centers for Disease Control MMWR Recommendations and Reports April 26, 2002/159(RR04);17.
The copyright of the article Early Detection of Skin Cancer in Cancer Types is owned by Leigh VanDeWalker. Permission to republish Early Detection of Skin Cancer must be granted by the author in writing.
