How to Check for Skin Cancer: 6 Steps (with Pictures)

on

What Is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells. It often develops on areas of the body that are exposed to the sun’s rays. Skin cancer affects people of all colors and races, but those with light skin who sunburn easily are placed at a higher risk.

Skin cancer is a disease of the body's skin cells usually as a result of skin cell damage. It begins in the outside layer of the skin, known as the epidermis. Skin cancer mostly occurs when the skin has received too much of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation (UVR) which damages these cells. The cells then change and skin cancer can form.

There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from the sun’s UV radiation. Whilst we have to remember that there are some rare forms of skin cancer which cannot be found early on, the good news is that most skin cancers can be prevented or found early.

Steps to Check for Skin Cancer:

Identify the Cancer

1 Know all the different types of cancer and what they look like. It is very important that you learn the different signs before you assume you have some kind of cancer and freak out.


Basal cell cancer. Most often found in areas that get exposed to a lot of sun, such as the head, neck, and arms; flat, firm, pale areas; small, raised, pink or red, translucent, shiny, waxy, "pearly" areas; may bleed after minor injury; may have one or more abnormal blood vessels, a lower area in their center, and/or blue, brown, or black areas; larger areas could be oozing or crusting; small blood vessels may be seen;

  • Squamous cell cancer. Most often found in areas that get exposed to a lot of sun, such as the head, neck, and arms; lumps with rough, scaly, or crusted surface; flat reddish patches that grow slowly; sometimes accompanied by ulceration or bleeding
  • Actinic keratosis. Small (less than 1/4 inch) rough spots; pink-red or flesh-colored; usually on the face, ears, back of the hands, and arms;
  • Melanomas. Look for changes in size, shape, or color of a mole or the appearance of a new spot during adulthood. Use the "ABCD rule".
A - Asymmetry, one half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other. 
B - Border is irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
C - Color varies (brown, black, red, white blue).
D - Diameter is larger than 6 millimeters across (about 1/4 inch -- the size of a pencil eraser).

2 Become familiar with warning signs. Not all skin cancer cases exhibit classic symptoms as described above. Look out for the following, as well:





  • Any new growths, spots, bumps, patches, or sores that don't heal after 2 to 3 months
  • Spread of pigment from the border of a spot to surrounding skin
  • Redness or a new swelling beyond the border
  • Change in sensation -- itchiness, tenderness, or pain
  • Change in the surface of a mole -- scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or the appearance of a bump or nodule



Self Examination & Preventative Measures


1 Mark your calendar. In addition to your annual check-up with a doctor who can inspect your skin and answer any questions you may have, plan to give yourself a skin exam once a month.







2 Stand in front of a full-length mirror. Skin cancer can form anywhere on your body so it is very important that you perform a very thorough self exam. Use a wall mirror to give yourself a better view of your skin. You should also have a hand-held mirror and, if possible, a spouse or close friend to help you check out areas like your lower back or the backs of your thighs.





3 Examine your entire body. It can be helpful to have a list in front of you. Don't skip any of these steps as you perform your self-exam:

  • Check your face, lips, ears, behind your ears, and eyes. Use a flashlight to check the inside of your mouth.
  • Check your neck, shoulders, belly and chest. You may need to lift your breasts or any excess skin so you can check the skin underneath.
  • Check your underarms, arms, hands, between your fingers, and fingernail beds.
  • Using a hand mirror, check your buttocks, genitals, lower back, upper back, and the back of your neck. Face your backside to the large mirror and use your hand held mirror to see your reflection.
  • Check your legs, ankles, feet, toes, toenail beds and between your toes. You can check your front while sitting down, but you will need to use a hand held mirror to see the bottoms of your feet, your calves, and the backs of your thighs.
  • Part your hair and check your scalp.


4 Seek medical attention if you find anything that you think might resemble skin cancer. Get help as soon as possible; consider calling your local clinic and making an appointment for the next day. When skin cancer is concerned, it's always better to be safe than sorry.









 Useful Links


How is melanoma skin cancer diagnosed? - American Cancer Society
SEE A LIST » · Can melanoma ... If melanoma is found, other tests may be done todetermine if it has spread to other areas of the body. ... The rest of your body may bechecked for spots and moles that could be related to skin cancer. ... In rare cases, biopsies may be needed to figure out what type of cancer someone has.

Early Detection and Self Exams - SkinCancer.org 
 Learn about the warnings signs of skin cancer and what to look for during a self examination. If you spot anything suspicious, see a doctor.

How to Check for Skin Cancer: 6 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow
More than 1 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually in the United ...Identify the Cancer. 1 ... or close friend to help you check out areas like your lower back or the backs of your thighs. ... It can be helpful to have a list in front of you.

Skin cancer - MayoClinic.com 
Comprehensive overview covers prevention and treatment and includes... Checking your skin for suspicious changes can help detect skin cancer at its ...Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters ...

Check for signs of skin cancer - Cancer Council Australia
Find out which skin types are most at risk of melanoma and ... The sooner a skin cancer is identified and treated, the better your chance of ...

Summer To-Do List: Stock Up on Sunscreen and Get Checked for ...
 Penn dermatologists are on constant look-out for skin signs of ... Just last month, a case of invasive melanoma was identified through this ...

MoleMap: Skin Cancer Melanoma Detection & Treatment AUS
MoleMap is the world's most advanced melanoma skin cancer detection ... If you are concerned about skin cancer or a particular mole, then get it checked. Why? Because 3 out of every 5 melanoma skin cancers diagnosed are first noticed by the ... clinically proven to help identify melanoma skin cancer at an early stage.

Skin Cancer: Symptoms - SkinCancerMed.com
When this happens within the skin, skin cancer builds up. When the harmful ... of skin cancer. If you notice such a skin issue, make an appointment to see a dermatologist as soon as possible. ... List of different types of skin cancer and a brief summary of their symptoms ... It is vital to be able to identify the signs of melanoma.

Melanoma or a mole? The ABCs of skin cancer - today > health ...
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., with 1 million cases diagnosed annually. But can you tell the ... Check out the schedule at SkinCancer.org.

15 Cancer Symptoms Men Shouldn't Ignore - WebMD

Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker ... "Any new mass in the breast area of a man needs to be checked out by a physician," Lichtenfeld says. In addition, the AmericanCancer Society identifies several other worrisome signs involving the ... Skin dimpling or puckering; Nipple retraction; Redness or scaling of the nipple or ...