Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the US, and anyone can get it. When caught early, skin cancer is highly treatable! In Jacksonville, FL, it is more common to develop skin cancer, as we are located at a lower latitude and experience sunny skies for most of the year. We also love the beach, and being in the sand and water increases UV exposure by 25%!
How to perform a skin self-exam
- Examine your body in a full-length mirror
- Look all around your arms, hands. Many of my patients didn’t apply enough sunscreen on their forearms over the years and ended up with skin cancer there, so it’s always important to look at the arms!
- Look at your legs, feet, between your toes, under your feet, and even at your toenails
- Use a small handheld mirror (or cell phone to take a video) to look at your neck and scalp
- Use a small handheld mirror (or cell phone) to check your back and butt
- And repeat monthly!
If you find anything that concerns you, please take a picture of it and consult your doctor. Taking pictures can be helpful, as it allows you to track changes over time. Many patients forget how long spots have been there, and this will help your doctor immensely!
References:
1- American Academy of Dermatology – https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/find/check-skin
