How To Check Yourself For Skin Cancer

Handle any emergency with Howcast's First Aid app - http://howc.st/jkDRTe

Expand the description and view the text of the steps for this how-to video.

Check out Howcast for other do-it-yourself videos from elunder and more videos in the First Aid category.

You can contribute too! Create your own DIY guide at http://www.howcast.com/videos/new or produce your own Howcast spots with the Howcast Filmmakers Program at http://www.howcast.com/filmmakers/apply.

Most dermatologists recommend examining your skin once a month to become familiar with what it looks like normally—so you'll be able to recognize something that's abnormal. And since skin cancer is curable if caught in an early stage, your life just might depend on it.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A full-length mirror
A handheld mirror
Good lighting
A camera (optional)
A blow-dryer (optional)

Step 1: Look for ABCD's

Familiarize yourself with the ABCD's—that is, asymmetry, border, color, and diameter. Moles or birthmarks that are asymmetrical, have a jagged or irregular border, are blotchy or not all one color, or are bigger than about the size of a pencil eraser should be seen by a doctor.

Step 2: Check after bathing

Check yourself immediately after bathing so you're clean—and naked. It is important to check your entire body.

Step 3: Examine hands

Examine your hands, including your palms and fingernails.

Step 4: Use full-length mirror

Use the full-length mirror to inspect your arms, elbows, and underarms.

Tip: Take pictures of moles or birthmarks so that you'll have something to reference if someday you're unsure whether the mark has changed in appearance.

Step 5: Check face, neck, & head

Check your face, neck, and head in the full-length mirror, and use a handheld mirror to see the back side.

Tip: When checking your scalp, it is helpful to have blow-dryer on hand to make parting your hair a bit easier.

Step 6: Check chest & back

Check your chest and back and beneath your breasts if you have them.

Tip: Men should pay special attention to the trunk and women to their legs—these are the most common areas for them to develop melanomas, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

Step 7: Inspect genital region

Use the hand mirror to inspect your genital region.

Step 8: Inspect legs & buttocks

Turn your back to the full-length mirror and use the handheld mirror to inspect the backs of your legs and buttocks.

Step 9: Inspect legs & feet

Sit down to inspect your legs and feet more closely.

Step 10: See a doctor

If anything seems to fit the ABCD rule, if anything is new or has changed since your last check, if you have a sore that won't heal, or if you're uncertain about anything you find, see a doctor.

Thanks for watching How To Check Yourself For Skin Cancer! If you enjoyed this video subscribe to the Howcast YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=howcast

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• cancer
• check
• health
• how-to
• howcast
• melanoma
• mole
• skin

[ilovemiddleschoolyah]

okay, this is good information but this is nasty why would they have a lady doctor checking out a naked dude? this is nasty and the doc probably had sex with him after this video.

[AlysonHunter19]

this guy is hot

[seonfox]

Skin cancer was virtually unknown in the US until the late 50's when petro skin lotions came on the market.

Skin cancer went up 500% w/sunscreen.

[thegirlinhotpink]

Im pretty sure the doctor is a perv. :/

[MriBackup]

WTF is the trunk?!

[Krisp456]

@screwriod But what if it was that doctor ;) yea........

[Dlittleindian]

@iUselessGirl Best of luck to your BF

[kthankxbye]

Damn that guy is hot!

[screwriod]

i dont want the doctor to touch my penis

[iUselessGirl]

My boyfriends mum died on the 17th April because of this cancer... Now he's been diagnosed with it.. :'/