How To Do Your
Skin Cancer Self-checks 

Your Skin Cancer Video Guide

Skin cancer doesn’t discriminate. People of color are as vulnerable as people with lighter skin. Skin cancer early detection self-checks are important for everyone to do!

Please click image below

Your Personal Skin Cancer Self-check

For a thorough skin cancer self-check you’ll need both a full-length and a hand-held mirror. You’ll also need very good lighting. It is probably best to do this after a shower or bath.

• Look in the mirror, check your face (including your eyelids and inside of mouth).

• While parting your hair with your fingers, hairdryer or hair brush, look into the full-length mirror and use the hand mirror to check your scalp.

• Continue by checking front and back of the following areas (note: with back to mirror, use hand mirror to inspect the back of these areas) ears, neck and shoulders, upper arms, underarms, elbows, lower arms, chest, genitals, upper legs and back.

• MEN: the back is the most common site of a melanoma in males— you may need someone to help you here.

• WOMEN: don’t forget to check under your breasts.

• Sitting down, check your hands, including under your nails, lower legs and feet, including soles, heels, between toes and toenails. Continue to use both mirrors to check your buttocks and genitals. 

Changes on your skin are not sure signs of cancer. But you should see your health professional if a mark changes or if something doesn’t look quite right to you. Better to be safe than sorry.

To Be Effective, Skin Cancer Early Detection Must Combine:

1) Your monthly skin self-check.

2) Your yearly doc-check.