Skin cancer screening

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Skin cancer screening

Skin cancer can be cured if found and treated early.

• Screening guidelines from the American Cancer Society and other expert groups recommend that adults older than 40 have their skin checked by a health professional at least once a year, as well as during any other health exam. This may lead to early treatment and prevent the possible spread of cancer. You may wish to begin screening earlier, especially if you have:
  • Familial atypical mole and melanoma (FAM-M) syndrome, which is an inherited tendency to develop melanoma. Examine your skin every month and be examined by a doctor every 4 to 6 months, preferably by the same doctor each time.
  • Increased occupational or recreational exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
  • Abnormal moles called atypical moles (dysplastic nevi). These moles are not cancerous, but their presence is a warning of an inherited tendency to develop melanoma.

After reviewing all of the research, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has not recommended for or against routine skin cancer screening for adults.¹

Get to know your skin

Skin self-exam is a good way to detect early skin changes that may indicate melanoma, because most primary melanomas are easily seen on the surface of the skin.² Look for any abnormal skin growth or any change in the color, shape, size, or appearance of a skin growth. Check for any area of injured skin (lesion) that does not heal. Have your spouse or someone such as a close friend help you monitor your skin, especially places that are hard to see such as your scalp and back.

A careful skin exam may identify suspicious growths that may be cancer or growths that may develop into skin cancer (precancers). Adults should examine their skin once every month.

Skin cancer often appears on the trunk of men and on the legs of women.

• Get to know your moles and birthmarks, and look for any abnormal skin growth and any change in the color, shape, size, or appearance of a skin growth.
• Check for any area of skin that does not heal after an injury.
• Have your health professional check your skin during any other health exams. Most experts recommend having your skin examined at least once a year.
• Bring to the attention of your health professional any suspicious skin growths or changes in a mole.
• Be aware of the risk of skin cancer and the steps you can take to prevent it, including using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and staying out of the midday sun.

Know the ABCDs of early detection

Learn your ABCDs, the changes in a mole or skin growth that are warning signs of melanoma:

• Asymmetry : One half doesn't match the other half.
• Border irregularity : The edges are ragged, notched, or blurred.
• Color : The pigmentation is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown, and black are present. Dashes of red, white, and blue add to the mottled appearance. Color may spread from the edge of a mole into the surrounding skin.
• Diameter : The size of the mole is greater than 6 mm (0.2 in.), or about the size of a pencil eraser.

For more information, see the topic Skin Cancer, Melanoma.

References

Citations

1. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2001). Screening for skin cancer. Available online: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsskca.htm.

2. Balch CM, et al. (2005). Cutaneous melanoma. In VT DeVita Jr et al., eds., Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology, 7th ed., vol. 2, pp. 1754–1809. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Credits

Last updated:	January 11, 2007
Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Randall D. Burr, MD - Dermatology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC