At a Glance:
- Most skin cancers may be easily treated if caught early making frequent spot checks potentially lifesaving
- There are three kinds of skin cancer - melanoma (including nodular melanoma), basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma
- Depending on your skin type you may be at a higher risk for skin cancers. If your skin is pale and burns easily you are typically more likely to develop skin cancers than someone with dark skin that doesn’t burn
Why Do I Need to Check My Own Skin?
Early detection of skin cancers saves lives. Many skin cancers can be successfully removed via surgery with no need for additional cancer treatment options if caught early. One of the best ways to catch skin cancers early is for people to become familiar with their own skin so they can notice any changes as soon as they occur.
While self-checks are important for every Australian and are recommended to be performed around once per month, there are some people that should pay extra special attention when checking their skin. All skin types may be damaged by the absorption of UV radiation, but people with light skin that is easily burned are more at risk than any other group for skin cancer.Skin is typically broken into six categories depending on the amount of melanin present. Each category has a lower risk for skin cancers than those above:
- Type 1 - very pale, often freckled skin that rarely tans but burns easily. Typically seen in combination with red hair and blue or green eyes
- Type 2 - pale skin that sometimes tans but usually burns. Typically seen in combination with light hair and blue or brown eyes
- Type 3 - skin that usually tans and only sometimes burns. Usually seen in combination with brown hair and eyes
- Type 4 - skin that mostly tans and rarely burns. Typically seen in combination with dark brown hair and eyes
- Type 5 - dark brown skin that tans easily and heavily and rarely burns
- Type 6 - very dark skin that never burns
The amount of melanin found in the skin has no effect on the eyes, so people with a low risk of skin cancer from UV radiation may still be as susceptible to UV radiation related eye damage as people with any other skin type. People with melanin rich skin may be at risk of vitamin D deficiency as well, as dark skinned people typically have a harder time producing vitamin D from sunlight.
What Should I Look For?
There are three main forms of skin cancer - melanoma (including nodular melanoma), basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Different forms of skin cancer present differently.
- Melanoma - the most deadly form of skin cancer, melanoma may easily metastasize (spread) to other parts of the body if left untreated. Melanoma typically appears as either a new spot or existing spot that changes colour, size or shape.
While melanomas typically appear in skin regularly exposed to the sun they may form on areas that are usually covered
- Nodular Melanoma - nodular melanomas grow quickly and appear different from normal melanomas. Rather than appearing as spots, nodular melanomas are raised bumps that are typically pinkish or red in colour though may be brown or black.
The bumps are typically firm to the touch and often crack, bleed and crust over after a while
- Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) - the most common type of skin cancer is also the least dangerous. Of course, that doesn’t mean that BCCs aren’t dangerous and should still be checked for regularly.
Basal cell carcinomas typically form on areas frequently exposed to the sun and appear as dry, lumpy or scaly areas that may be red, pearlescent or pale. BCCs may ulcerate if irritated and may not heal properly or fully
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) - most common in people over the age of 50, squamous cell carcinomas typically grow slowly over months on areas of skin frequently exposed to the sun.
SCCs appear as thickened or scaly red spots or lumps that may bleed ulcerate or crust easily.
Rather than looking for specific cancers, when performing a skin self check it’s better to instead focus on what is known as the ABCDE melanoma checklist:
- A is for Asymmetry - skin spots that do not have a regular or symmetrical appearance. Asymmetry may be a sign of aberrant growth
- B is for Border - spots with an irregular or undefined border should be monitored. Healthy spots and moles typically have a solid border, so watch for any notches in the border or spreading colour
- C is for Colour - keep an eye out for any spot that is mottled or patchy in colour
- D is for Diameter - examine any spot that appears to be getting larger. Normal spots should not be growing
- E is for Evolving - any spot, lump or existing mole that is continuously changing colour, shape or texture should be reported to a medical professional
If you’ve found a questionable spot and would like a medical professional to check it out, schedule an appointment with a doctor
How Do I Perform a Skin Cancer Self-Check?
For an accurate check you need a few things first, notably access to a full length mirror, a handheld mirror, a couple of chairs or stools and good, bright lighting. A notepad and pen is also useful for taking notes if you notice anything, so you can make a note of location, colour, size and shape of a questionable spot, making it easier for you to keep track of any changes you notice, ot can easily direct a doctor to any spots you think may be problematic.
Of course, if you have a significant other, you can check each other’s skin without the need for a couple of mirrors to see those hard to reach places.
Each part of your body should be checked thoroughly before moving onto the next area of our body.
- Face - your nose, mouth, ears and lips are especially prone to sun damage so special attention should be paid to them. Checking the tops and back of your ears by yourself may take some maneuvering with a couple of mirrors, but don’t ignore the places that are hard to see
- Head - even though your head may be covered in hair it doesn’t really protect your scalp from skin cancer. Thoroughly checking your scalp may require the use of a blow-dryer, comb or brush as well as a handheld mirror so you can part your hair in small sections to inspect the skin.
Having someone else check your scalp makes the process much easier and faster
- Hands and Forearms - check both sides of your hands and forearms as well as in between your fingers and under your fingernails.
- Upper Arms - check your upper arms and armpits in front of a mirror. This makes it easier to properly inspect your armpits and the back of your arms.
- Chest and Neck - inspect your check, neck and torso in the mirror. Breasts should be lifted so the underside can be easily inspected.
- Upper Back - checking your own back requires two mirrors. By standing with your back to a full length mirror, you can use a hand mirror to inspect places you otherwise would be unable to see. Using the two mirrors, inspect the back of your neck, shoulders and upper back for any questionable spots.
- Lower Back, Buttocks and Thighs - again this requires the use of a full length mirror and a handheld mirror. Check your lower back, buttocks, including between the cheeks and back of your thighs for any spots or lumps.
- Legs - this is best accomplished by sitting on one chair and propping the leg being inspected on another. Carefully inspect your upper legs, including the inside of the thighs and the groin area. Work your way down the legs, making sure to check all sides as well as the back of the knee. Inspect your feel in the same manner you did your hands, looking at both the top of the foot and the sole, between the toes and under the toenails.
- Genitals - use a hand mirror to check your genitals, men should check under the scrotum and women should check the labia majora and minora as well as around the clitoris.
If you find any worrying or questionable spots, take notes of their location and appearance so you can either keep track of any changes or easily describe and point them out to your doctor.