Skin checks, performed by individuals or medical professionals, are a proactive health strategy against skin cancer. These examinations aim for the early identification of new growths, changing spots, or suspicious lesions, which improves treatment outcomes. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and it is highly treatable when caught early. Establishing a routine for monitoring your skin health is the first step, and the necessary frequency depends on individual risk factors and the type of check being performed.
Conducting Monthly Self-Examinations
The most actionable step for skin health is performing a self-examination once a month. This consistent frequency helps establish a baseline understanding of your moles and spots, making new or changing features easier to detect. Self-checks are best performed in a brightly lit room using a full-length mirror and a handheld mirror for a comprehensive view of the entire body.
The examination should be systematic, covering all areas of the skin, including those not regularly exposed to the sun. Start at the top, checking the scalp, face, ears, and neck. Next, check the hands, including palms and under the fingernails, before moving to the torso. Women should lift their breasts to examine the skin underneath.
Use the handheld mirror to inspect hard-to-see areas like the back of the neck, the back, and the buttocks. Finally, check the legs, tops and bottoms of the feet, and the spaces between the toes. This head-to-toe approach ensures that hidden sites, such as the soles of the feet or the groin area, are not overlooked, as skin cancer can develop anywhere.
Recognizing Potentially Dangerous Skin Changes
During a self-examination, look for anything new, changing, or unusual, using the ABCDE mnemonic as a guide for suspicious moles.
- Asymmetry (A): One half of the spot does not match the other half. Benign moles are symmetrical, while melanomas are often irregular in shape.
- Border (B): Edges are irregular, notched, scalloped, or poorly defined. Normal moles have smooth borders, contrasting with the ragged outlines of melanoma.
- Color (C): Variation in color, as a healthy mole is one uniform shade. Suspicious lesions may contain multiple colors, such as tones of brown, black, tan, white, red, or blue.
- Diameter (D): A spot larger than six millimeters—about the size of a pencil eraser—requires attention. Growth beyond this size is a concern.
- Evolving (E): Any change in the mole’s size, shape, color, or elevation over time.
Beyond melanoma, watch for signs of non-melanoma skin cancers, such as Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC). BCC, the most common type, often appears as a waxy or pearly bump. SCC may present as a firm, red nodule or a rough, scaly patch that might bleed or crust. Any sore that bleeds easily, does not heal within a few weeks, or keeps returning should be evaluated immediately.
Determining Your Professional Screening Frequency
For most adults with an average risk profile, the recommendation is a professional, full-body skin examination by a dermatologist once a year. This annual screening allows a trained eye to examine missed areas and use specialized tools like a dermatoscope for a closer look. This baseline frequency is adjusted based on individual risk factors, which influence how often a professional check is necessary.
Individuals with an increased risk level may need biannual screenings every six months. This includes people with a personal history of severe sunburns, fair skin that burns easily, or a large number of moles. A family history of melanoma in a first-degree relative also places an individual into a higher-risk category.
For those considered high-risk, such as individuals with a personal history of any type of skin cancer, check-ups may be required every three to six months. Other factors increasing the frequency include numerous atypical moles, a history of using tanning beds, or having a weakened immune system. Your dermatologist will determine the optimal schedule, but noticing a sudden change in your skin should always prompt an immediate visit, regardless of your last scheduled appointment.