Your Guide to Skin Cancer: Risk, Recognition, and Prevention

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with over five million cases of basal and squamous cell skin cancers diagnosed each year.¹ Early detection is key—spotting the warning signs and understanding your risk can make all the difference in successful treatment. This guide will help you recognize risk factors, identify symptoms, perform skin self-exams, and take steps to prevent skin cancer.

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Risk Factors

UV radiation exposure: Exposure to UV radiation, either from the sun or tanning lamps, is the biggest risk for skin cancer.
Fair skin: People with fair skin, freckling, or red or blond hair have a higher risk.
Climate/Geography: People who live in sunny climates or in southern states are at an increased risk for skin cancer.
Moles: The presence of many moles increases a person’s chance of getting melanoma.
Age: The chances of developing skin cancer increase with age.
Personal/Family history: A history of skin cancer can put people at higher risk.
Weakened immune system: People with a weakened immune system are more susceptible to skin cancer.

Signs and Symptoms

Patients experiencing any of these symptoms should consult a physician.

Firm, pale, or yellow scar-like areas
Raised, itchy, reddish patches
Rough or scaly red patches
Raised growths or lumps, sometimes with a lower area in the center
Open sores that don’t heal
Moles wider than ¼ inch that are asymmetrical, have edges that are ragged, and/or have a splotchy color

Screening

Most skin cancers are found by watching for visual changes in the skin. Regular exams by your doctor and checking your own skin frequently can help find many skin cancers early when they are easier to treat.

Why are self-exams important?

When detected early, skin cancer is almost always curable. This is why getting to know your skin through regular self-exams is so important, so that any new or changing marks or lesions can be caught quickly.

Lesions, ulcers, or tumors on the skin should be checked out by a skin cancer specialist right away. Marks and moles should be documented and monitored for changes during your self-exams. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends head-to-toe self-examinations of the skin once a month and an annual exam by a dermatologist once a year.

How to Check Your Skin

To complete a self-exam, you will need to carefully examine the entire surface of your skin. Spots typically include freckles, moles, birthmarks, age spots, bumps, sores, scabs, open wounds that bleed, and scaly patches. You can use a hand mirror to help you check hard-to-see areas or ask a partner or close friend to help. Check regularly and note any changes. If you do see any changes or have other concerns, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Examine your body front and back in the mirror, then look at the right and left sides with your arms raised. Women should lift breasts to view the undersides.

Bend elbows and look carefully at forearms, underarms, and palms. Also check between fingers and under fingernails.
Look at the backs of your legs and feet, between your toes, and the soles of your feet.
Check the back of your neck and scalp with a hand mirror. Part the hair to get a closer look. A hair dryer may be helpful in raising up hair so it’s easier to see.
Examine your back and buttocks with a hand mirror.

Sun exposure isn’t the only risk factor when it comes to developing skin cancer; that is why it’s important to examine all of your skin, including places that aren’t often (or ever) exposed to the sun or UV rays.

Prevention of Skin Cancer

Cover up when you’re in the sun to reduce exposure to dangerous UV rays.
Say no to tanning. The UV ray exposure is dangerous. This includes both the sun and tanning beds.
Wear sunscreen. Choose a sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher and follow directions for reapplication. Pay close attention to areas like your face, arms, or any area not covered by clothing.
Stay in the shade. Hang out in a shaded area to reduce your sun exposure.
Sunglasses that block UV rays can help to protect your eye area from the sun.