How to look for signs of skin cancer
Skin cancer is the most common cancer, but treatable if detected early – which is where our check-ups come in.
Here’s our quick guide to checking your own skin.
Look for anything new, changing (in size, shape, or colour), or unusual:
- a growth – pearly, transparent, tan, brown, black or multicoloured, or
- a mole, birthmark or brown spot which has changed, or
- a spot – that continues to itch, hurt, scab or bleed; an open sore that doesn’t heal within 3 weeks.
When looking at moles specifically, then follow the ABCDE rules:
- Asymmetry – the two halves of the area may differ in shape
- Border – the edges of the area may be irregular or blurred, and sometimes show notches
- Colour – this may be uneven. Different shades of black, brown, and pink may be seen
- Diameter – most melanomas are at least 6mm in diameter. Report any change in size, shape or diameter to your doctor
- Expert – if in doubt, check it out! Give us a call to book – 02039411815, email hello@23skin.co.uk, or book online.
How to perform a self-exam
Grab a handheld mirror and use a long mirror in front of you.
- Examine your face
Especially your nose, lips, mouth and ears — front and back.
- Inspect your scalp
Thoroughly inspect your scalp, part into sections and use a mirror. Get someone to help, if you can.
- Check your hands
Palms and backs, between the fingers and under the fingernails. Continue up the wrists to examine both the front and back of your forearms.
- Scan your arms
Standing in front of the full-length mirror, begin at the elbows and scan all sides of your upper arms. Don’t forget the underarms.
- Inspect your torso
Next, focus on the neck, chest and torso. Lift the breasts to view the undersides.
- Scan your upper back
With your back to the full-length mirror, use the hand mirror to inspect the back of your neck, shoulders, upper back and any part of the back of your upper arms you could not view in step 4.
- Scan your lower back
Still using both mirrors, scan your lower back, buttocks and backs of both legs.
- Inspect your legs
Sit down; prop each leg in turn on a stool/chair. Use the hand mirror to examine the genitals. Check the front and sides of both legs, thigh to shin. Then, finish with ankles and feet, including soles, toes and nails (without polish).
Dermatologists recommend you do this once a month. If you have never checked your skin before so you don’t know what could be new or changing, get a full check by a dermatologist. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends seeing your dermatologist annually for a skin check.
If you need a full skin exam, then we can help. Contact us and book in today.
Check out our doctors here.
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