What is skin cancer screening?
Skin cancer screening is checking the skin for changes or signs of cancer. Regular skin checks can help find skin changes early so that it is easier to treat.
There are 2 ways to screen for skin cancer:
- A health care provider can do a full-body skin exam.
- You can check your own skin for signs of skin cancer. This is a self-exam.
Melanoma symptoms
Skin cancer happens when cells in the skin grow in an uncontrolled way. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. It can grow and spread quickly to other parts of the body if it is not found and treated early.
The first sign of melanoma is often a new mole or a mole that changes. This can include a change in shape, color, size, or feel.
The ABCDE method can help detect melanoma:
- Asymmetry: Half of the spot does not match the other half.
- Border: The spot has an uneven or unclear edge.
- Color: The spot has different colors, such as shades of tan and brown, or sometimes white, red, or blue.
- Diameter: Melanomas are often larger than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser) when found. They can be smaller.
- Evolution: The mole or spot changes size, shape, or color.
Sometimes, melanoma in children may not have the ABCDE signs. This is especially true for a type of tumor called spitzoid melanoma.
Non-melanoma skin cancer symptoms
Non-melanoma skin cancer is different from melanoma. It is more common and usually grows more slowly. It rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but it still needs treatment. It is very curable when caught early.
Non-melanoma skin cancer may not look like a mole. It often looks like a new spot on the skin or a change in a spot that was already there. These spots are often found on the face, ears, scalp, hands, and arms.
Common signs of non-melanoma skin cancer include:
- A smooth, shiny, or waxy bump
- A sore that bleeds, forms a crust or scab, or does not heal
- A red, pink, or brown patch of skin that is rough, dry, or scaly
- A spot or sore that may itch, hurt, or feel tender that does not go away or heals and then comes back
Risk factors for skin cancer
Several factors can raise the risk of skin cancer. These include having:
- Many moles
- Fair skin
- A family history of skin cancer
- Use of tanning beds
- Sun exposure
Children who had cancer may be more likely to develop a second cancer when they get older. The most common second cancer in childhood cancer survivors is skin cancer. This risk is higher for patients who had radiation therapy or certain gene changes.
What to expect during a skin cancer screening
Medical and family history
Your provider will ask about your health history. This may include questions about:
- Medicines you take
- How much time you spend in the sun
- What sunscreen you use and how often you use it
- How often you use a tanning bed
- Skin changes
- Cancer treatments, including radiation therapy
They will also ask about your family history of skin cancer.
Full-body skin exam
A full-body skin exam is a check of your skin by a health care provider. They will look for signs of skin cancer and other skin problems.
During the exam, your provider may feel your skin for unusual bumps or spots. They will look carefully at all areas of your skin. This includes hard-to-see places such as your back, scalp, genitals, and between your toes. They may use a bright light to see your skin more clearly. This helps them find small changes in moles or spots.
You can ask your care provider or a dermatologist for a full-body skin exam. This should be done at least once every 12 months.
Free skin cancer screenings may be available through local dermatology clinics or community programs. In the United States, The American Academy of Dermatology offers free SPOTme® skin cancer screenings.
You should check your skin for changes at least 1 time each month.
To do a skin self-exam:
- Use a large mirror to look closely at your whole body, front and back.
- Use a small mirror you can hold to look closely at hard to see areas.
Areas to check:
- Under your arms and on both sides of each arm
- Tops and palms of your hands
- Front and back of both legs
- Tops and bottoms of each foot and between toes
- Buttocks and between your buttocks
- Genital area
- Face, neck, and scalp
What to look for:
- New moles or spots
- Changes in moles or spots you already have, such as change in size, color, or shape
- A sore or bump that bleeds, has a crust or a scab, or does not heal
- A patch of skin that is rough, dry, scaly, itchy, or tender
Keep a record of moles and skin spots
Keeping a record of moles and other skin spots can help you notice changes over time. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has a free body mole map to help you track moles and spots that grow, bleed, itch, or change.
Contact your health care provider if you find any new or changing spots.
Questions to ask your care team
