Check skin regularly.
 You can improve your chances of finding precancerous skin conditions,
such as actinic keratosis--a dry, scaly, reddish, and slightly raised
lesion--and skin cancer by performing simple skin self-exams regularly.
The earlier you identify signs and see a doctor, the greater the chances
for successful treatment.
The best time to do skin exams is after a shower or bath. Get used
to your birthmarks, moles and blemishes so that you know what they usually
look like and then can easily identify any changes they undergo. Signs
to look for are changes in size, texture, shape, and color of blemishes
or a sore that does not heal. If you find any changes, see your doctor.
Also, during regular checkups, ask your doctor to check your skin. The
more of these practices you can incorporate into your life, the greater
your chances of reducing the damage sun can cause. And by teaching these
same practices to your children, you can help them get off to a lifetime
of safer sun practices.
Who's Most at Risk?
Take extra care to protect babies and children from the sun. Studies
show that one or more severe, blistering sunburns as a child or teenager
could increase the risk for melanoma, an often fatal form of skin cancer.
You need to be especially careful to play it safe in the sun if you:
-
have fair skin; blond, red, or light brown hair;
and blue green, or gray eyes
-
have freckles and burn before tanning
-
spend a lot of time outdoors
-
were previously treated for skin cancer
-
have a family history of skin cancer, especially
melanoma
-
work indoors all week and then try to catch up
on your tan on weekends
Monthly Skin Self-Examination
-
Examine your body, front and back, in the mirror,
then the right and left sides with arms raised.
-
Examine back of neck and scalp with the help of
a hand mirror--part hair or use blow dryer to lift hair and give you
a close look.
-
Check back and buttocks with hand mirror.
-
Bend elbows and look carefully at forearms, upper
underarms, and palms.
-
Look at backs of the legs and feet, including
the soles and spaces between toes
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