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Skin self-exam

Definition

Doing a skin self-exam involves checking your skin for any unusual growths or skin changes. A skin self-exam may help find skin problems early. Finding skin cancer early may give you a better chance for being cured.

Alternative Names

Skin cancer - self-exam; Melanoma - self-exam; Basal cell cancer - self-exam; Squamous cell - self-exam; Skin mole - self-exam

How to do a Skin Self-exam

Checking your skin regularly can help you notice any unusual changes. Follow your health care provider's recommendations on how often to check your skin.

These tips may be helpful:

• The easiest time to do the exam may be after you bathe or shower.
• If you are a woman and do regular breast self-exams, this is also a good time to check your skin.
• If possible, use a full-length mirror in a room with bright lights so you can see your entire body.

Look for these things when doing a skin self-exam:

New skin markings:

• Bumps
• Moles
• Blemishes
• Changes in color

Moles that have changed in:

• Size
• Texture
• Color
• Shape

Also look for "ugly duckling" moles. These are moles that look and feel different from other nearby moles.

Moles with:

• Uneven edges
• Differences in color or asymmetric colors
• Lack of even sides (look different from one side to the other)

Also look for:

• Moles or sores that continue to bleed or will not heal
• Any mole or growth that looks very different from other skin growths around them

To do a skin self-exam:

• Look closely at your entire body, both front and back, in the mirror.
• Check under your arms and on both sides of each arm. Be sure to look at the backs of your upper arms, which can be hard to see.
• Bend your arms at the elbow, and look at both sides of your forearm.
• Look at the tops and palms of your hands.
• Look at the front and back of both legs.
• Look at your buttocks and between your buttocks.
• Examine your genital area.
• Look at your face, neck, back of your neck, and scalp. Use both a hand mirror and full-length mirror, along with a comb, to see areas of your scalp.
• Look at your feet, including the soles and the spaces between your toes.
• Have a person you trust help examine hard-to-see areas.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Tell your provider right away if:

• You have any new or unusual sores or spots on your skin
• A mole or skin sore changes in shape, size, color, or texture
• You spot an ugly duckling mole
• You have a sore that does not heal

References

American Academy of Dermatology website. Find skin cancer: how to perform a skin self-exam. www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/find/check-skin. Updated May 15, 2023. Accessed October 16, 2023.

National Cancer Institute website. Skin cancer screening (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/skin/hp/skin-screening-pdq. Updated May 24, 2023. Accessed October 16, 2023.

US Preventive Services Task Force, Bibbins-Domingo K, Grossman DC, et al. Screening for skin cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2016;316(4):429-435. PMID: 27458948 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27458948/.

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