zoranm / Getty Images
Where to Get a Free Screening
How to Properly Perform a Self-Examination
When performing a self-exam, be sure to check every area of your body, including areas that you may not normally be able to see.You may need mirrors to properly check every area. Check your arms, hands, legs, feet, and chest. The mirror may be necessary to see your back completely. You may also need a comb to check underneath your hair.
There are several things to look for when checking your own skin for potential signs of cancer. Typically, you are looking for any changes that occur over time and marks on your skin. In order to do this, you should become familiar with moles and marks on your skin to recognize changes.
Specific warning signs include new red, or dark-colored patches on the skin, new firm flesh-colored bumps, bleeding sores that do not heal on their own after a couple of weeks, as well as changes in the size, shape, color, or feel of a mole. Warning signs on a mole may include a mole that is painful or itchy, larger than 6 millimeters across, strangely shaped, or multi-colored.
Frequently Asked QuestionsMoles should be checked any time there have been changes in the ABCs:Asymmetry: Each half looks differentBorder: Irregular or poorly definedColor: Has different colors within the moleDiameter: Larger than 6 millimeters are more suspiciousEvolving: Has been changing over timeMost dermatologists recommend you get a full-body skin exam once a year. However, you should see a dermatologist immediately if you notice any changes in your mole’s appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moles should be checked any time there have been changes in the ABCs:Asymmetry: Each half looks differentBorder: Irregular or poorly definedColor: Has different colors within the moleDiameter: Larger than 6 millimeters are more suspiciousEvolving: Has been changing over time
Moles should be checked any time there have been changes in the ABCs:
Most dermatologists recommend you get a full-body skin exam once a year. However, you should see a dermatologist immediately if you notice any changes in your mole’s appearance.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Free skin cancer screenings.American Academy of Dermatology.Detect skin cancer: how to perform a skin self-exam.American Cancer Society.How to do a skin self-exam.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Free skin cancer screenings.American Academy of Dermatology.Detect skin cancer: how to perform a skin self-exam.American Cancer Society.How to do a skin self-exam.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Free skin cancer screenings.American Academy of Dermatology.Detect skin cancer: how to perform a skin self-exam.American Cancer Society.How to do a skin self-exam.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Free skin cancer screenings.
American Academy of Dermatology.Detect skin cancer: how to perform a skin self-exam.
American Cancer Society.How to do a skin self-exam.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
