Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer in the world. It strikes any age group, and can be deadly if not treated directly. To that end, it’s important to regularly perform self-examinations to ensure that you spot any problems early. In this article, we’ll discuss exactly what you need to do to properly examine yourself for skin cancer.

While examining yourself for skin cancer can be scary, it is a necessary procedure to perform considering that a full 1 in 5 people can be expected to contract some form of skin cancer throughout their lifetime. Doctors recommend that you check yourself for skin cancer monthly to ensure that you spot any problems early on. To check yourself for skin cancer, you need to have a few mirrors so that you can accurately see all parts of your body. The entire surface area of the body needs to be checked for skin cancer, as it can appear anywhere. First, examine your head and your face, as well as your scalp, in the mirror. Gradually work your way down your body, ensuring that you’re checking everywhere – commonly missed spots include underneath the breasts, and parts of the back and buttocks. Also be sure to check the genital areas as well as every part of the feet, including the webbing between toes.

The main thing to look for when performing a self-examination for skin cancer is the appearance of irregular moles. Malformed moles can result in malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. If you’re looking on your body and you find that a mole is asymmetrical, with one side of the mole appearing different than the other side, you may want to consult a doctor. Also, most moles complete their growth before age twenty. If a mole on your body begins growing past age twenty, you should also speak to a doctor. Check for irregularities on the borders of the mole; they should be well-defined and should be uniform in growth. Also, moles that change color to a dark black, red, or even white represent a significant risk for a problem. Since early diagnosis is the key to surviving skin cancer, if you spot anything that you feel might be a problem, discuss it with your doctor immediately. Your health is your responsibility, and a little caution can result in catching the problem early enough to stop it.