The Skin Cancer That’s Highly Treatable — When Detected Early

One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, according to reliable estimates. And with 5.4 million cases in more than 3.3 million people diagnosed annually, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, period. It is also one of the most preventable, and highly treatable when detected early.

That’s why the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has launched a campaign this year called “Check Your Partner. Check Yourself,” which is asking women to check their partners and themselves. Why women? Research has shown that women are nine times more likely than men to notice melanoma on others — good news for their male partners, who have an increased risk of developing melanoma after age 50, compared to the general population.

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By now, most of us have seen the acronym used to help spot suspicious moles. However, there are still a lot of people neglecting to take a few minutes to inspect their skin. In case you need a quick reminder, the ABCDEs of melanoma detection include:

A = Asymmetry. One half is unlike the other half.

B = Border irregularity. Irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined border is detected.

C = Colors. The mole is varied from one area to another; it has shades of tan, brown, or black, or is sometimes white, red, or blue.

D = Diameter. Melanomas are usually greater than 6 millimeters (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, but they can be smaller.

E = Evolving. A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest is changing in size, shape or color.

There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma (most common); squamous cell carcinoma (second most common); and melanoma (deadliest). Additionally, actinic keratoses, which are dry scaly patches or spots, are considered precancerous growths, most common in people who have fair skin.

Each of these cancers has a different appearance, so it’s important to know the early warning signs, as defined in the ABCDEs. Additionally, it’s important to pay attention to a spot that continues to itch, hurt, crust, scab, erode, or bleed.

Related: The Extra Risk Our Firefighters Face

When you consider the ease and accessibility of checking your skin as often as possible, it’s a bit unnerving to find out that last year, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, an independent panel on preventative and primary care, concluded that there is insufficient evidence to recommend routine full-body skin examinations for adults.

Fortunately for all of us, a group of dermatologists and oncologists recently published an article in the March issue of the journal Future Medicine, disagreeing with the task force’s findings and stating that routine body screening of “high-risk” individuals could help reduce skin cancer deaths.

Related: Alarming Increase in Cancer Rates Among Women

So what’s the best way to monitor your spots from home? The AAD recommends the following protocol:

1.) Examine your body front and back in the mirror, then look at the right and left sides with your arms raised.

2.) Bend your elbows and look carefully at forearms, upper underarms, and palms.

3.) Look at the backs of your legs and feet, the spaces between your toes, and the soles of your feet.

4.) Examine the back of your neck and scalp with a hand mirror and part your hair for a closer look.

5.) And finally, check your back and buttocks with a hand mirror.

Make a commitment today to take the time to check yourself and practice other preventive measures such as applying sunscreen, seeking shade, protecting your skin with clothing, and using extra caution near water, sand or snow (they reflect and intensify the damaging rays of the sun, which increases your chances of sunburn).

It might just save your life.

Sara Hermanson is a freelance writer in Washington State whose focus is health, wellness, fitness and parenting.