How to Perform an At-Home Skin Cancer Screening
- Posted on: Sep 30 2017
Skin cancer will impact more than 87,000 Americans this year alone. And although that number may be extremely alarming, as long as you catch it in the early stages, it can easily be treated and cured. One of the easiest ways for you to catch skin cancer early on is to perform self-screenings every month. So, what is a self-screening and how can you perform one on your own? Read on to learn more.
What Is a Self Screening?
You can come into Callender Cosmetic and Dermatology Center once every year for a skin cancer screening. During this screening, one of our dermatologists will take a close look at every freckle and mole all across your body to ensure that they’re not cancerous. However, you can perform a similar self-screening examination every month from the comforts of your shower. To make sure that you get the most out of your self-screening, try using the following steps:
- Step 1: Get in the shower
To make sure that you cover every square inch of your body, it’s best to perform your self-screening naked. We encourage our patients to just add it to their shower routine about once a month.
- Step 2: Use Your Hands and Your Eyes
Your eyes are obviously great at spotting any weird abnormalities or new skin growths across your skin. However, your hands may be able to pick up something that your eyes are not able to. Take your hands and rub them across your body to spot any raised or bumpy moles. Additionally, use your eyes to help look for any moles that have changed color, have jagged edges, have grown, are bleeding, or are otherwise uncomfortable.
- Step 3: Document It
Try documenting any moles that you are concerned about in a small journal or the notes section on your smartphone— that way you can use it as a reference point during your next self-examination.
- Step 4: Schedule an Appointment
If you find anything that you are concerned about at any time during your self-examination, contact our office and schedule an appointment today.
A self-examination is one of the best ways for you to identify any skin abnormalities. If you would like to learn more about skin cancer or skin cancer screenings, contact Callender Cosmetic and Dermatology Center today!
Posted in: Skin Cancer
