Skin Self-Checks: The Simple Routine That Could Save Your Life

Early detection is key when it comes to treating skin cancer. Even melanoma — the deadliest type of the disease — has a 5-year survival rate of 99% when caught promptly.

While May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, it's important to perform regular skin self-checks year round.

As an expert in complex general surgical oncology, Dr. Trevan Fischer utilizes state-of-the-art knowledge and techniques to diagnose and treat skin cancer and more at his private practice in Santa Monica, California.

In addition, he stays abreast of the newest discoveries, breakthroughs, and treatment protocols through his work on innovative clinical trials at the Saint John's Cancer Institute.

Skin cancer

Skin cancer occurs when cells in the skin tissues grow abnormally. If not caught early, it can spread to other areas of the body. The most common types are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

Skin self-checks

Performing monthly self-checks is a good idea for everyone since anyone can get skin cancer. However, it’s especially important for people who are at higher risk. This includes people with certain characteristics like lighter skin, blue or green eyes or blond or red hair, a large number of moles, a personal or family history of skin cancer, older age, or a reduced immune system.

Self-check how-to

Doing a monthly skin check may seem like a hassle but given that about half of melanomas are self-detected, it's an important component to staying healthy.

Look for anything that seems unusual. Some examples include a mole, growth, bump or blemish that is new or growing, a sore that bleeds or doesn't heal or a scaly or rough red patch. However, there are many ways skin cancer can appear, so anything questionable should be examined by a doctor.

The self-examination steps are as follows:

Get prepared

Perform the check in a well-lit room with a full-length mirror. Have a hand-held mirror, chair, and comb available as well. If possible, ask someone to help with difficult-to-see places like the back and head.

Plan to spend extra time during the initial check studying the skin carefully including patterns and sizes of moles, freckles, blemishes, and other marks. This way you will be able to notice any changes in the future.

Look in the wall mirror

Stand facing the mirror and check the face, ears, neck, chest, and abdomen. Women should lift their breasts and look underneath them.

Next, examine both sides of the arms and hands, between the fingers, and under the fingernails. Remember to lift the arms and check the underarms.

Take a seat

Sit down and look at the front side of the lower half of the body including the thighs, shins, feet including between the toes, and under the toenails. Next, evaluate the back of the thighs, calves, and the bottom of the feet using the hand mirror.

Complete the exam

Make sure to completely check all parts of the body. Examine the genital area and buttocks using the hand mirror. Evaluating the upper and lower back along with the back of the neck and ears may be done either with the hand or wall mirror.

Study the scalp using a comb (or hairdryer) to help part the hair.

Whether you have identified a suspicious mole or blemish or have already been diagnosed with skin cancer, Dr. Fischer provides state-of-the-art care. Click to book an appointment or call the office today at 310-807-2688.