How To Do a Skin Self-Exam
Your doctor or nurse may suggest that you do a regular skin self-exam to check
for skin cancer, including
melanoma.
The best time to do this exam is after a shower or bath. You should check your
skin in a room with plenty of light. You should use a full-length mirror and a
hand-held mirror. It's best to begin by learning where your birthmarks, moles,
and other marks are and their usual look and feel.
Check for anything new:
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New mole (that looks different from your other moles)
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New red or darker color flaky patch that may be a little raised
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New flesh-colored firm bump
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Change in the size, shape, color, or feel of a mole
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Sore that does not heal
Check yourself from head to toe. Don't forget to check your back, scalp,
genital area, and between your buttocks.
-
Look at your face, neck, ears, and scalp. You may want to use a comb or a blow
dryer to move your hair so that you can see better. You also may want to have a
relative or friend check through your hair. It may be hard to check your scalp
by yourself.
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Look at the front and back of your body in the mirror. Then, raise your arms
and look at your left and right sides.
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Bend your elbows. Look carefully at your fingernails, palms, forearms
(including the undersides), and upper arms.
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Examine the back, front, and sides of your legs. Also look around your genital
area and between your buttocks.
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Sit and closely examine your feet, including your toenails, your soles, and the
spaces between your toes.
By checking your skin regularly, you will learn what is normal for you. It may
be helpful to record the dates of your skin exams and to write notes about the
way your skin looks. If your doctor has taken photos of your skin, you can
compare your skin to the photos to help check for changes. If you find anything
unusual, see your doctor.
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