--- description: Examine your skin head-to-toe every month. Self-exams are a simple, powerful way to detect skin cancer early. It could save your life. Learn how. title: Self-Exams image: https://www.skincancer.org/wp-content/uploads/SkinCancerFoundation_Check.jpg --- [Home](https://www.skincancer.org/) › [Early Detection](https://www.skincancer.org/early-detection/) › Self-Exams # Self-Exams Save Lives ## How to Do a Skin Check When caught and treated early, skin cancers are highly curable. And in the early stages of skin cancer development, you’re the one with the best chance to see changes. Self-exams are a simple way to look at yourself with a new focus that can save your life. That’s why we recommend that you check your skin head-to-toe once a month. If you’re unsure of [how to do a skin check](https://www.skincancer.org/early-detection/self-exams/#do), or [what to look for](https://www.skincancer.org/early-detection/self-exams/#look), see below for easy instructions. - [What to look for](#look) - [How to perform a self-exam](#how) - [Do the #SkinCheckChallenge](https://www.skincancer.org/get-involved/skin-cancer-awareness-month/#skincheckchallenge) - [Skin Cancer Awareness Toolkit](https://www.skincancer.org/get-involved/skin-cancer-awareness-month/toolkit/) - [Skin cancer pictures](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-pictures/) ### What to look for ![the big see unusual gif](https://www.skincancer.org/wp-content/uploads/New-Changing-Unusual-2.gif "New Changing Unusual (2)") Because skin cancers appear in many shapes and sizes, it’s important to know the warning signs associated with [basal cell carcinoma (BCC)](http://skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/basal-cell-carcinoma/), [squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)](http://skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/squamous-cell-carcinoma/), [melanoma](http://skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/), [Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC)](http://skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/merkel-cell-carcinoma/) and other [rare skin cancers](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/rare-skin-cancers/), and the precancer [actinic keratosis (AK)](http://skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/actinic-keratosis/). If you see something [NEW, CHANGING or UNUSUAL](https://www.skincancer.org/early-detection/the-big-see/), [get checked by a dermatologist](http://skincancer.org/early-detection/annual-exams/) right away. It could be skin cancer. This includes: - **A growth** that increases in size and appears pearly, transparent, tan, brown, black, or multicolored. - **A mole**, birthmark or brown spot that increases in size, thickness, changes color or texture, or is bigger than a pencil eraser. Learn the [ABCDEs of melanoma](http://skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/melanoma-warning-signs-and-images/#abcde). - **A spot** or sore that continues to itch, hurt, crust, scab or bleed. - **An open sore** that does not heal within three weeks. Learn more about early detection at [TheBigSee.org](https://www.skincancer.org/early-detection/the-big-see/). ### What you'll need A thorough self-exam requires the following simple supplies: a bright light, a full-length mirror, a hand mirror, two chairs or stools and a blow-dryer. Be sure to document your findings by writing them down, or [use your phone](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/healthy-skin-in-your-pocket/) to take pictures. ![]( "Screenshot 2023-10-18 at 3.01.38 PM") *Intended only for personal use. Do not copy or distribute. To purchase the brochure, visit store.SkinCancer.org.* ### Download The Big See Self-Exam Card The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that you do a head-to-toe self-examination of your skin every month and see a dermatologist at least once a year for a full-body skin exam.  Remember, skin cancer is highly curable if caught early enough. So, what are you waiting for? Download the card and check your skin! Name \* First Last Email \* Sign up for the newsletter - I would like to receive the Skin Cancer Foundation Monthly Newsletter Download ![Loading]() We appreciate your interest in early detection! When caught and treated early, skin cancers are highly curable. And in the early stages of skin cancer development, you're the one with the best chance to see changes. **[Download PDF](https://www.skincancer.org/wp-content/uploads/BIG-SEE-CARD-FINAL.pdf)** ### How to perform a self-exam ![]( "icon-face") #### 1. Examine your face Especially your nose, lips, mouth and ears — front and back. Use one or both mirrors to get a clear view. ![]( "icon-scalp") #### 2. Inspect your scalp Thoroughly inspect your scalp, using a blow-dryer and mirror to expose each section to view. Get a friend or family member to help, if you can. ![]( "icon-hand-2") #### 3. Check your hands Palms and backs, between the fingers and under the fingernails. Continue up the wrists to examine both the front and back of your forearms. ![]( "icon-arm") #### 4. Scan your arms Standing in front of the full-length mirror, begin at the elbows and scan all sides of your upper arms. Don’t forget the underarms. ![]( "icon-torso") #### 5. Inspect your torso Next, focus on the neck, chest and torso. Lift the breasts to view the undersides. ![]( "icon-upback") #### 6. Scan your upper back With your back to the full-length mirror, use the hand mirror to inspect the back of your neck, shoulders, upper back and any part of the back of your upper arms you could not view in step 4. ![]( "icon-lowback") #### 7. Scan your lower back Still using both mirrors, scan your lower back, buttocks and backs of both legs. ![]( "icon-leg") #### 8. Inspect your legs Sit down; prop each leg in turn on the other stool or chair. Use the hand mirror to examine the genitals. Check the front and sides of both legs, thigh to shin. Then, finish with ankles and feet, including soles, toes and nails (without polish). [Early Detection Overview](http://www.skincancer.org/early-detection/ "early detection overview") [Early Detection](http://www.skincancer.org/early-detection/) [Annual Exams](http://www.skincancer.org/early-detection/annual-exams/ "annua") [Early Detection Annual Exams](http://www.skincancer.org/early-detection/annual-exams/) ## Sun & Skin News [You Are Not a Failure!](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/you-are-not-a-failure/)![Despite the many lifesaving breakthroughs in treatment for advanced skin cancer in the past 15 years, not every patient responds to them. That “f” word is often used as medical shorthand to describe an unsuccessful treatment. But is it time to retire it? Patients and doctors share their thoughts on staying hopeful and the value of contributing to clinical research.]() [Healthy Lifestyle](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/healthy-lifestyle/) [The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/the-skin-cancer-foundation-journal/) [This Is Skin Cancer](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/true-stories/) ### [You Are Not a Failure!](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/you-are-not-a-failure/) [How Wrinkles Can Save Your Life](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/how-wrinkles-can-save-your-life/)![photo collage]() [Healthy Lifestyle](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/healthy-lifestyle/) [The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/the-skin-cancer-foundation-journal/) ### [How Wrinkles Can Save Your Life](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/how-wrinkles-can-save-your-life/) [Alternatives to Animal Testing for Sunscreen: A Cosmetic Chemist’s Perspective](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/alternatives-to-animal-testing-for-sunscreen-a-cosmetic-chemists-perspective/)![Backlash to the animal testing required for FDA approval of sunscreen in the U.S. has grown, especially as viable alternatives have emerged. Many, from animal rights activists to members of Congress, are hopeful as the FDA commits to reducing animal testing.]() [Healthy Lifestyle](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/healthy-lifestyle/) ### [Alternatives to Animal Testing for Sunscreen: A Cosmetic Chemist’s Perspective](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/alternatives-to-animal-testing-for-sunscreen-a-cosmetic-chemists-perspective/) Last updated: July 2024 [Make a Donation](https://give.skincancer.org/SCFDonate) - [Prevention ▼](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/) - [Skin Cancer Prevention](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/) - [Recommended Products](https://www.skincancer.org/recommended-products/) - [Sun Protection ▼](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/) - [Sunscreen](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/) - [Eye Protection](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/eye-protection/) - [Sun Protective Clothing](https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sun-protective-clothing/) - 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