Self Examination for Skin Cancer
Learn about skin cancer self examination, the ABCDE’s of mole examination and warning signs of skin cancer in moles.
It is important to know your own body and be aware of any unusual changes. This is also important in regards to the condition of your skin. It is recommended that you check your skin once a month for any potential changes. Please see below for information regarding how to check your body for skin cancer and what to look for.
Five Steps for Self Examination:
- Examine your body front and back in the mirror, followed by the right and left side with arms raised.
- Bend your elbows and look carefully at forearms, back of upper arms and palms.
- Look at the back of your legs, feet and spaces between your toes and soles.
- With a hand held mirror, examine the back of your neck and scalp.
- Lastly, check your back, buttocks and genital area with a hand mirror.
Be sure to look closely at your moles by using the ABCDE method:
- Asymmetry: Benign (non-cancerous and non-malignant) moles are typically round (symmetrical); whereas Melanoma (cancerous and malignant) lesions are typically irregular in shape (asymmetrical).
- Border: Benign moles have smooth even borders; whereas Melanoma lesions often have uneven, ragged or notched borders.
- Color: Benign moles are usually a single shade of brown; whereas Melanoma lesions often contain many shades of brown or black.
- Diameter: Benign moles are usually less than six millimeters (1/4 inch) in diameter; whereas Melanoma lesions are often more than six millimeters (1/4 inch) in diameter.
- Evolving: Benign moles usually do not change size over time and are flat; however Melanoma lesions are often elevated and grow in size or change in height rapidly.
If you have a change in mole…
- Appearance: size, shape or color
- Sensation: itchiness, pain or tenderness
- Surface: scaliness, oozing or bleeding
- Enlargement: grows in size rapidly
- Elevation: becomes raised above skin
…schedule an appointment with a dermatologist to have the mole and your skin checked for skin cancer. Any unusual finding should always be reported to your doctor.
For more information regarding skin cancer please visit Mollie's Fund and AmericanCancerSociety.
Reference: “Have you checked your skin lately?” Brochure by MolliesFund.org
Information Gathered: 6-12-06
Mollie's Fund is an organization dedicated to increase awareness for melanoma prevention, provide information and services on skin cancer detection, and support melanoma patients through education of the latest treatments. This fund was developed after the memory of Mollie Biggane after her death at only age twenty. More information can be found at the Mollie's Fund website.