How to Check for Skin Cancer

More than one million skin cancers are diagnosed annually in the United States, and that number has been rising for the past few decades. No matter where you live or how dark your skin is, you are vulnerable to skin cancer if you spend any time exposed to UV rays, whether it's from the sun or from tanning beds. Along with taking preventative measures, the best way to prevent the threat skin cancer is to detect it early on. Fortunately, all you need to do this are eyes and a mirror.

Steps

1. Mark your calendar. Plan to give yourself a skin exam once a month, in addition to your annual check-up with a doctor who can inspect your skin and answer any questions you may have.

2. Know your cancers. It is very important that you learn your cancers before you panic about something such as a bruise or birthmark.

• Basal cell cancer. Most often found in areas that get exposed to a lot of sun, such as the head, neck, and arms; flat, firm, pale areas; small, raised, pink or red, translucent, shiny, waxy, "pearly" areas; may bleed after minor injury; may have one or more abnormal blood vessels, a lower area in their center, and/or blue, brown, or black areas; larger areas could be oozing or crusting; small blood vessels may be seen;

Firm, red, shiny raised lump Flat, red spot

• Squamous cell cancer. Most often found in areas that get exposed to a lot of sun, such as the head, neck, and arms; lumps with rough, scaly, or crusted surface; flat reddish patches that grow slowly; sometimes accompanied by ulceration or bleeding.

Crusty lump

• Actinic keratosis. Small (less than 1/4 inch) rough spots; pink-red or flesh-colored; usually on the face, ears, back of the hands, and arms;

• Melanomas. Look for changes in size, shape, or color of a mole or the appearance of a new spot during adulthood. Use the "ABCD rule".

A - Asymmetry, one half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other.
Normal mole	Asymmetrical mole

B - Border is irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
Normal mole	Irregular border

C - Color varies (brown, black, red, white blue).
Normal mole	Varying color

D - Diameter is larger than 6 millimeters across (about 1/4 inch -- the size of a pencil eraser).
Normal mole	Enlarged mole