Full Body Skin Cancer Screenings

Signs of Skin Cancer

When examining the skin look for changes to the skin and moles that are suspicious or irregular in shape size or color, or look for mole/moles that stand out or look different then your other moles. The best time to examine your skin is after a shower in a well-lit room. You can record you moles with a body map or take pictures every month to determine if there have been any changes. This will also keep you familiar with the location and details of different moles, birthmarks and other lesions that may occur on your skin. You may have to ask for help from a spouse or friend to take pictures and/or document the moles in hard to see areas such as your back or the back of your legs.

Signs of skin cancer include:

• The “ugly duckling” mole that is different the rest, itching, bleeding or is changing in shape, size or color

• Sores that are not healing or bleeding spontaneously

• Waxy-feeling scars

• Brown to black streaks underneath nails

• Translucent growth with rolled edges

If you suspect or notice any of these changes or if you have concerns about any particular lesion/mole on your skin you should follow up with your Dermatologist.

Detecting Melanoma: Know Your ABCDEs

When performing Skin Self-Exams look for signs of melanoma, follow the ABCDEs. When melanoma is detected early it is very treatable.

“A” stands for Asymmetry: one half of the mole does not look like the other side.

“B” stands for Border (the edge): look for an irregular edge/border.

“C” stands for Color: Does the mole have variations in color.

“D” stands for Diameter: Is the mole larger than 6 mm (the size of a pencil eraser head).