The sun is finally coming out, and aside from golf outings and outdoor dining, that means it’s time for a skin cancer self-examination. May is Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, and the Westchester County Health Department recommends you check your entire body for spots that could be a warning sign, as instructed in the picture below.
The Department says you should take note of all spots—including moles, freckles, and age spots—when doing your head-to-toe examination.
Experts advise you check your body in the mirror—front and back, then the left and right sides—with your arms raised. Use a hand mirror to examine the back of your neck and scalp, parting your hair for an up-close look at the scalp. Bend your elbows and look carefully at the forearms, back of upper arms, and palms. Check your backside with a hand mirror, and finally, scan the back of your legs, feet, soles, and even the spaces between your toes.
In addition to regular self-examinations, the American Academy of Dermatology suggests wearing sunscreen and lip balm every day to block potentially cancer-causing UV radiation from the sun.
|
Image courtesy of the American Academy of Dermatology |
For more information on skin cancer detection and prevention, visit the AAD or the Westchester County Health Department on Facebook or Twitter.
