How do I perform a self-exam?
Checking your skin is easy, quick, and decidedly low-tech. All you need is a
full-length mirror, a handheld mirror, a comb, and a bright light. As you look
at each part of your body, learn the pattern, location and size of blemishes on
your skin so that you can quickly detect any changes that occur. The goal is
simply to get to know your skin, so that you’ll be able to notice anything
suspicious even before your doctor. Keep in mind that potentially cancerous
growths may appear anywhere, even in areas not typically exposed to the sun,
and that some skin cancers are not caused by the sun at all.
Here are the steps to follow:
A.
Make sure the room is well lit and that you have nearby a full-length mirror, a
hand-held mirror, and two chairs or stools. Undress completely.
B.
Hold your hands with the palms face up, as shown in the drawing. Look at your
palms, fingers, spaces between the fingers, and forearms. Then turn your hands
over and examine the backs of your hands, fingers, spaces between your fingers,
fingernails, and forearms.
C. Now position yourself in front
of the full-length mirror. Hold up your arms, bent at the elbows, with your
palms facing you. In the mirror, look at the backs of your forearms and elbows.
D. Again using the full-length
mirror, observe the entire front of your body. In turn, look at your face,
neck, and arms. Turn your palms to face the mirror and look at your upper arms.
Then look at your chest and abdomen, pubic area, thighs and lower legs.
If you are at high risk for melanoma or other skin
cancers, your healthcare provider may recommend regular skin self-examinations.
Even if you are not at high risk, ask your doctor or nurse to show you how to
do the exam.
The best time to do a skin self-exam is after a shower or bath. Check
your skin in a room with a lot of light. Use both a full-length mirror and a
hand-held mirror so that you can see your whole body. It helps to know
where your moles and birthmarks are and what they look like. It’s important to
look for changes when you do the self-exam. Check all areas, including your
back, scalp, and feet, and between your buttocks and your genital area. It is
helpful to do the exam the same way each time so you don’t miss any part of
your body.
1.
Look at the front and back of
your body in the mirror, then raise your arms and look at your left and right
sides.
2.
Bend your elbows and look at your
palms, the nail bed of each finger, your forearms (including the undersides),
and your upper arms.
3.
Examine the back and front of
your legs. Also look between your buttocks and at your genital area.
4.
Sit and closely examine your
feet, including the soles and the spaces between your toes. Also examine the
nail bed of each toe.
5.
Look at your face, neck, and
scalp. You may want to use a comb or a blow dryer to move your hair so that you
can better see your scalp.
E. Still standing in front of
the mirror, lift your arms over your head with the palms facing each other.
Turn so that your right side is facing the mirror and look at the entire side
of your body-your hands and arms, underarms, sides of your trunk, and thighs
and lower legs. Then turn, and repeat the process with your left side.
F. With your back toward the
full-length mirror, look at your buttocks and the backs of your thighs and
lower legs.
G. Now pick up the hand held
mirror. With your back still to the full-length mirror, examine the back of
your neck, and your back and buttocks. Also examine the backs of your arms in
this way. Some areas are hard to see, and you may find it helpful to ask your
spouse or a friend to assist you.
H.
Use the hand-held mirror and the full-length mirror to look at your scalp.
Because the scalp is difficult to examine, we suggest you also use a hand-held
blow dryer turned to a cool setting to lift the hair from the scalp. While some
people find it easy to hold the mirror in one hand and the dryer in the other
while looking in the full-length mirror, many do not. For the scalp examination
in particular, then, you might want to ask your friend or spouse to assist you.
I. Sit down and prop one leg on a
chair or stool in front of you as shown. Using the hand-held mirror, examine
the inside of the propped up leg, beginning at the groin area and moving the
mirror down the leg to your foot. Repeat the procedure for your other leg.
J.
Still sitting, cross one leg over the other. Use the hand-held mirror to
examine the top of your foot, the toes, toenails, and spaces between the toes.
Then look at the sole or bottom of your foot. Repeat the procedure for the
other foot.
If you check your skin regularly, you will start to learn what is normal
for you. If you find anything unusual, see your doctor or nurse right away.
Remember, the earlier skin cancer is found, the better your chances are for a
cure. Also, keep in mind that not all skin changes are melanoma.
