The healthiest cookies you’ll choose today

Our website uses cookies to collect useful information that lets us and our partners support basic functionality, analyze visitor traffic, deliver a better user experience, and provide ads tailored to your interests. Agreeing to the use of cookies is your choice. Learn more

Decline cookies Accept cookies
Skip to content
Fullscript leaf logo Sign in
Fullscript logo
Fullscript leaf logo
  • Our platform
    • Practitioner software
    • Pricing
    • Integrations
    • Patients on Fullscript
    • Book a demo
  • Learn
    • Spotlight
    • Protocols
    • Wellness blog
    • Practice resources
    • Webinars
    • Ingredient library
    • Practicing virtually
  • Support
    • Practitioner support
    • Patient help
    • Contact us
    • Or chat with us
Sign in Create account
Conditions
—

How to do a Skin Self Exam

July 11, 2022
Fact checked
Written by Laura Dan, BSc, NDTR
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Peter Woznik, ND, MSc
  1. Wellness blog
  2. How to do a Skin Self Exam

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in the melanocytes, a type of cell that produces the skin pigment known as melanin. Although only making up 1% of all skin cancers, melanoma accounts for over 80% of skin cancer deaths–that’s because melanoma can rapidly spread to other organs if not treated early. (9) In 2022, it’s estimated that nearly 100,000 new melanomas will be diagnosed in the United States, as well as 9,000 new cases in Canada. (4)(5) Rates of melanoma have rapidly increased over the last several decades. In fact, the incidences in the United States jumped by over 320% between 1975 and 2018. (9)  

Early detection of melanoma is key, as this form of skin cancer is most effectively addressed in the early stages. (8) Keep reading to learn more about detecting melanoma through self-exams.

skin self exam
Regular self-exams can help you spot new or suspicious skin lesions.

Melanoma risk factors

Are you at risk for melanoma? Understanding your risk factors can help you and your healthcare provider detect skin cancer early when it’s typically most treatable. Risk factors for melanoma include: 

  • Being male
  • Family history of melanoma
  • Having blonde or red hair
  • Having fair skin and freckling
  • Having many moles or atypical moles
  • Older age
  • Personal history of skin cancer
  • Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure from the sun or tanning beds
  • Weakened immune system (e.g., organ transplant recipients, individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV))
  • Xeroderma pigmentosum (rare, heritable condition causing extreme sun sensitivity) (3)

Did you know? Although melanoma is most common in older adults, it is one of the most common cancers affecting people younger than 30. (3)

Sun exposure and skin cancer

Skin damage caused by UV exposure is the most significant contributor to skin cancers like melanoma. The good news is that limiting your sun exposure and avoiding tanning beds can help reduce your chances of developing skin cancer. (6) Practice sun safety by:

  • Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with protection against UVB and UVA rays and an SPF above 30 (6)(10)
  • Reapplying sunscreen every two hours when outdoors
  • Seeking shade
  • Wearing a hat with a wide brim
  • Wearing sunglasses
  • Wearing protective clothing that covers a large portion of your skin (6)(13)

Learn more about protecting your skin from the sun on the Fullscript blog.

The ABCDEs of melanoma: what to look for

Before performing a skin self-exam, it’s important to know what to look for. In 1985, a group of medical doctors at New York University developed criteria for detecting melanoma. The ABCDE mnemonic, detailed below, is intended to help both practitioners and the general public distinguish between normal and abnormal skin lesions. (8)

skin self exam melonoma infographic
Learn how to identify suspicious skin lesions. (1)

Skin self-exam

Checking your skin for suspicious moles or other skin growths is essential for early detection of melanoma and other skin cancers. How often should you do a skin self-exam? Many experts recommend that adults perform self-exams on a monthly basis, especially if you’re at risk of getting skin cancer. All you need to perform a skin self-exam is a full-length mirror, handheld mirror, and a place to sit. Each month, follow the steps below to detect any new or suspicious moles, blemishes, or freckles. (2)

  1. Face a full-length mirror and examine your face, ears, neck, chest, and belly.
  2. Examine your upper arms, underarms, forearms, and palms.
  3. Look in-between your fingers and underneath your fingernails. 
  4. Sit down and look at your legs, tops of your feet, between your toes, and under your toenails.
  5. Use a hand mirror to examine the hard to see areas such as the soles of your feet, calves, and backs of your thighs.
  6. Use a hand mirror to examine your buttocks, genital area, back, and the back of your neck and ears. 
  7. Use a hairdryer or comb to examine your scalp. (2)

If you notice anything new or unusual during your self-exam, call your practitioner for guidance and recommendations.

Tip: If you have a smartphone, take photos of any skin lesions and share them with your dermatologist. This can be especially helpful for detecting visual changes to a spot over time. 

How effective are skin self-exams?

According to a 2010 review examining the sensitivity (ability of a test to detect a true positive) and specificity (ability of a test to detect a true negative) of skin self-exams for the early detection of melanoma, sensitivity ranged from 25 to 93% and specificity was between 83 and 97%. While self-examinations aren’t 100% accurate at detecting melanoma, they’re a relatively simple and cost-effective method of screening for the general public. (7)(12)

skin self exam woman laying in a hammock on a beach
Protect yourself from the sun by staying in the shade and wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

When to see your healthcare provider

If you notice a new or concerning spot on your skin, make an appointment with your healthcare provider or dermatologist. A dermatologist can perform minimally invasive, in-office tests to determine whether a spot is cancerous or benign (non-cancerous).

An annual visit to a dermatologist is generally recommended for most people. If you’re at an increased risk of developing melanoma or other skin cancers, you may be advised to visit a dermatologist more frequently. Annual exams are quick and involve a full-body visual examination of your skin. (11)

The bottom line

Melanoma is a type of cancer that can spread quickly to other organs, making early detection critical. Regular self-exams and annual visits to the dermatologist can help detect melanomas or other skin cancers early on when they’re most treatable. If you’re a patient, speak to your integrative healthcare provider for guidance and recommendations.

Fullscript simplifies supplement dispensing

Create your dispensary today I'm a patient
References
  1. American Academy of Dermatology Association. (2022). What to look for: ABCDEs of melanoma. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/find/at-risk/abcdes 
  2. American Cancer Society. (2019a). How to do a skin Self-Exam. https://www.cancer.org/healthy/be-safe-in-sun/skin-exams.html 
  3. American Cancer Society. (2019b). Melanoma skin cancer risk factors. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html 
  4. American Cancer Society. (2022). Melanoma skin cancer statistics. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer/about/key-statistics.html 
  5. Canadian Cancer Society. (2022). Melanoma skin cancer statistics. https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-types/skin-melanoma/statistics 
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). What can I do to reduce my risk of skin cancer? https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/prevention.htm 
  7. Hamidi, R., Peng, D., & Cockburn, M. (2010). Efficacy of skin self-examination for the early detection of melanoma. International Journal of Dermatology, 49(2), 126–134. 
  8. Rigel, D. S., Russak, J., & Friedman, R. (2010). The evolution of melanoma diagnosis: 25 years beyond the ABCDs. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 60(5), 301–316. https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.3322/caac.20074 
  9. Saginala, K., Barsouk, A., Aluru, J. S., Rawla, P., & Barsouk, A. (2021). Epidemiology of melanoma. Medical Sciences, 9(4), 63.
  10. Skin Cancer Foundation. (2022). Ask the expert: Does a high SPF protect my skin better? https://www.skincancer.org/blog/ask-the-expert-does-a-high-spf-protect-my-skin-better/ 
  11. The Skin Cancer Foundation. (2022). Annual exams. https://www.skincancer.org/early-detection/annual-exams/ 
  12. Trevethan, R. (2017). Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values: Foundations, pliabilities, and pitfalls in research and practice. Frontiers in Public Health, 5. 
  13. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Sunscreen: How to help protect your skin from the sun. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/understanding-over-counter-medicines/sunscreen-how-help-protect-your-skin-sun
  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Disclaimer

The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Prev Next
Back to main wellness blog page

Get more resources for your practice

Protocols
Practice resources
Ingredient library
Webinars

Share

  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Fullscript content philosophy

At Fullscript, we are committed to curating accurate, and reliable educational content for practitioners and patients alike. Our educational offerings cover a broad range of topics related to integrative medicine, such as supplement ingredients, diet, lifestyle, and health conditions.

Medically reviewed by expert practitioners and our internal Integrative Medical Advisory team, all Fullscript content adheres to the following guidelines:

  1. In order to provide unbiased and transparent education, information is based on a research review and obtained from trustworthy sources, such as peer-reviewed articles and government websites. All medical statements are linked to the original reference and all sources of information are disclosed within the article.
  2. Information about supplements is always based on ingredients. No specific products are mentioned or promoted within educational content.
  3. A strict policy against plagiarism is maintained; all our content is unique, curated by our team of writers and editors at Fullscript. Attribution to individual writers and editors is clearly stated in each article.
  4. Resources for patients are intended to be educational and do not replace the relationship between health practitioners and patients. In all content, we clearly recommend that readers refer back to their healthcare practitioners for all health-related questions.
  5. All content is updated on a regular basis to account for new research and industry trends, and the last update date is listed at the top of every article.
  6. Potential conflicts of interest are clearly disclosed.
Read more
Fullscript logo

We're certified carbon-neutral. It's part of our commitment to helping people get better.

American flag - toggles to show american specific contentUnited States
Canadian flag - toggles to show canada specific contentCanada
Product
  • Practitioner software
  • Integrations
  • Pricing
  • Patients
  • Supplement quality
  • Treatment adherence
  • Catalog
  • Wholesale
Company
  • Spotlight
  • About Fullscript
  • Collective
  • Leadership
  • Culture guide
  • Careers
  • Engineering
  • News
Support
  • Practitioner support
  • Patient help
  • Testimonials
  • General FAQ
  • Patient shipping
  • Wholesale shipping

© Fullscript 2023. All rights reserved.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Customer Support Policy
  • Acceptable Use Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
Send this to a friend