Skin Self-Exam

Changes to your skin can be a sign of skin cancer. A self-examination (checking your skin) can help you find any new changes.

How often should a skin self-exam be done?

You should check your skin once a month at home. Looking at your skin fully and regularly will help you become familiar with your skin and moles, helping you find changes.

How do you do a skin self-exam?

Look at yourself head to toe, including the skin on your scalp, back, genitals, between your buttocks, and between your toes and fingers. Use a full-length mirror. You will need to use one or two extra mirrors to see all of these areas. You can use a blow dryer to move your hair or you can ask a family member or friend for help.

The ABCDE rule is a system to help you remember what to look for when checking any moles on your skin. Call your healthcare provider if you notice any of these changes:

A: Asymmetry- One side of the mole is not a mirror-image of the other side.
B: Border- The edges of the mole cannot be clearly identified or are jagged.
C: Color- The mole has changed color. It may have gotten darker or lighter, or there may be many colors. 
D: Diameter- The mole is larger than 1/4 inch in diameter (the distance across the mole).
E: Evolving- The mole is changing in any way such as bleeding, becoming itchy, or crusting.

Be thorough when doing your self-exam and note any changes. Contact your provider if you notice any changes.