Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, affecting over two million people every year. Caused by uninhibited growth of skin cells, skin cancer can be easy to spot and stop so long as you remain vigilant. To make sure you have a clean bill of health set up a yearly appointment with a certified dermatologist to be absolutely sure you have no sign of the disease. Between each visit, make certain to give yourself regular check-ups. This skin check is relatively easy and can be completed in about five minutes.
How to give yourself a skin cancer checkup at home
Start with your face. Check around the mouth, lips, nose and ears. As you progress, be on the lookout for any new or mutating skin spots and moles. This could be signs of cancer. Next, take a hairdryer to keep your hair out of the way as you look over the entirety of your scalp. This is best done with a partner if possible. Following this, look at your hands, your arms, your torso and your legs. Use a hand held mirror to help you examine your back. Finally, women should lift their breasts to check underneath each one, and both males and females should closely examine their genital regions.
Dermatology approved advice to prevent cancer of the skin
Remember to be as thorough as possible. A proper self-examination looks over every inch of skin whether it is covered with hair or not. Skin cancer is not picky when it comes to finding a place to grow. Even still, be especially wary of areas of your skin you know have been burned or have been exposed to a lot of sunlight. Overexposure is one of the leading causes of skin cancer. So long as you do this and meet regularly with your dermatologist, you’ll be able to catch anything before it becomes deadly. Skin cancers detected and removed early are usually entirely curable.