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| Did you know that roughly 1 in 5 people will develop skin cancer over their lifetime? Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. In addition to annual in-office skin screenings, self-exams are an easy and effective way to identify cancer symptoms before they grow and become more difficult to treat.
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| Today, we’re sharing step-by-step instructions for performing a skin exam at home, along with symptoms to watch out for.
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Stay safe,
Morgan Mandriota
Newsletter Editor, Healthline
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Written by Morgan Mandriota
July 6, 2026 • 3 min read |
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| How to check yourself for skin cancer at home
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| During your first skin care self-exam, the goal is to become familiar with existing marks and look for any suspicious ones. Following the ABCDE rule can help you know what to pay attention to while checking yourself: The acronym stands for “Asymmetrical, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolving.” |
| Specifically, be on the lookout for any:
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- moles that change in appearance, have multiple colors, odd shape or irregular borders (the “ugly duckling” sign)
- moles or any other skin lesions that are tender, itching, bleeding, or crusting
- any new or changing growths
- pimples or sores that don’t resolve
- unexplained rashes
- wart-like growths
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| Besides a mirror, no special equipment is needed to effectively examine your skin from head to toe. For best results, remove all clothing and make sure the room is well-lit. You want to be thorough, so don’t rush. |
| To do a complete skin care self-exam:
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- Check your face, neck, ears, belly, and the front of your arms in front of a full-length mirror. You may need to lift your breasts to examine the skin underneath.
- Lift both arms to check your armpits and the backs of your arms.
- Look at both sides of your hands and in between your fingers. Check the areas around and underneath each fingernail.
- Look at the front of your thighs, shins, and top of your feet. Also, check the areas around and underneath your toenails.
- Examine the backs of your thighs, calves, and the bottoms of your feet using a hand mirror.
- Check your buttocks and genital area using a hand mirror. Facing the wall mirror, use the hand mirror to look at your back and the back of your neck.
- Use a hand mirror to look at your scalp. If you have hair, you’ll need to gently push strands aside to see the skin underneath your hair.
- Look inside your mouth for any white patches or black spots on the gums, top and bottom of your tongue, and inside the cheeks.
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| If you see anything suspicious, make an appointment as soon as possible to see a doctor or dermatologist. Even if the mark turns out to be harmless, consulting with a doctor can offer you peace of mind and some education about your skin health. |
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