Skin self-exam

Definition

How the Test is Performed

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommend that people should perform a skin self-exam once a month.

The easiest time to do the exam may be after you take a bath or shower. Women may wish to perform their skin self-exam when they do their monthly breast self-exam. Men may want to do the skin self-exam when they perform their monthly testicular self-exam.

Ideally, the room should have a full-length mirror and bright lights so that you can see your entire body.

When you are performing the skin self-exam, look for:

• New skin markings (moles, blemishes, colorations, bumps)
• Moles that have changed in size, texture, color, or shape
• Moles or lesions that continue to bleed or won't heal
• Moles with uneven edges, differences in color, or lack of symmetry

See also:

• Basal cell cancer
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Melanoma

Experts recommend that you examine your skin in the following way:

• Look closely at your entire body, both front and back, in the mirror.
• Check under your arms and both sides of each arm.
• Examine your forearms after bending your arms at the elbows, and then look at the palms of your hands and underneath your upper arms.
• Look at the front and back of both legs.
• Look at your buttocks and between your buttocks.
• Examine your genital area.
• Look at your face, neck, back of neck, and scalp. It is best to use both a hand mirror and full-length mirror, along with a comb, to see areas of your scalp.
• Look at your feet, including the soles and the space between your toes.
• Have a person you trust help by examining hard-to-see areas.

Why the Test is Performed

A skin self-exam helps find any suspicious skin problems early. The earlier skin cancer is diagnosed, the better chance you will have for a cure.

Considerations

Always tell your doctor if:

• You have any new or unusual sores or spots on your skin
• A mole or skin lesion changes in size, color, or texture
• You have a sore that does not heal

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Illustrations and Images

Skin layers

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Review Date: 4/16/2007
Reviewed By: Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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