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Skin: Self Examination

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The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that people perform a skin self-exam once a month.

The best time to examine your skin is immediately after a shower or bath. Check your skin in a well-lighted room using a full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror. It’s best to begin by learning where your birthmarks, moles, and blemishes are and what they usually look and feel like. Have someone you trust help by examining hard-to-see areas.

Check for anything new:

  • A sore that does not heal
  • A new mole (that looks abnormal)

Keep in mind the ABCDs of melanoma detection

Do not use the following pictures to try to diagnose melanoma yourself. Pictures are useful examples, but they cannot take the place of a doctor’s examination.

A for Asymmetry: Does one half of a mole look different from the other?

Skin Cancer: Melanome assymetry shape
 
B for Border: Is the edge (border) of the mole ragged, notched, or blurred?

Skin Cancer: Melanoma border
 
C for Color: Does the mole have a variety of hues or colors within the same lesion? (The color is uneven. Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present. Areas of white, grey, red, pink, or blue also may be seen.)

Skin Cancer: Melanoma color

D for Diameter: There is a change in size, usually an increase. Melanomas are usually larger than the eraser of a pencil (1/4 inch or 5 millimeters).

Skin Cancer: Melanoma diameter

Melanomas can vary greatly in how they look. Many show all of the ABCD features. However, some may show changes or abnormalities in only one or two of the ABCD features.

If you notice a mole that is different from others, or which changes, itches, or bleeds even if it is smaller than 6 millimeter, see your doctor.

CHECK YOURSELF FROM HEAD TO TOE.

  1. Look at your face, neck, ears, and scalp. You may want to use a comb or a blow dryer to move your hair so you can see better. You also may want to have a relative or friend check through your hair because this is difficult to do yourself.
  2. Look at the front and back of your body in the mirror, then raise your arms and look at your left and right sides.
  3. Bend your elbows and look carefully at your fingernails, palms, forearms (including the undersides), and upper arms.
  4. Examine the back, front, and sides of your legs. Also look between your buttocks and around your genital area.
  5. Sit and closely examine your feet, including the toenails, the soles, and the spaces between the toes.

By checking your skin regularly, you will become familiar with what is normal for you. It may be helpful to record the dates of your skin exams and write notes about the way your skin looks. If you find anything unusual, see your doctor right away. 

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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Images courtesy of Gerald Goldberg, M.D.

Vivacare public information from The National Cancer Institute

© 2009 Vivacare.

Last updated December 10th, 2009.

This information is for general educational uses only. It may not apply to you and your specific medical needs. This information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation with or the advice of your physician or health care professional. Communicate promptly with your physician or other health care professional with any health-related questions or concerns.

Be sure to follow specific instructions given to you by your physician or health care professional.

Additional Resources

Overview
Skin Cancer: Self-Examination