The Key To Catching Skin Cancer Early
If you’re like us, you probably didn’t give a second thought to sunscreen when you were a kid or a young adult. Remember laying out in the sun for hours, using tanning oil instead of sunscreen, and thinking a sunburn was needed to get base color? Yeah, same. And while we wish we could undo all that damage, none of us can.
But what we can do is make changes NOW—protect and nourish our skin and teach the next generation to take better care of their skin than we did. It’s never too late to start!
In honor of that, let’s talk about skin cancer self-checks. Regular skin checks are key to catching skin cancer early, and in this blog we’re giving you a simple guide. It’s quick, easy—and not to sound overly dramatic—but, it could literally save your life.
How to Do A Self Check
You want to examine your entire body, and we mean all of it. Yes, even those hard-to-see places! Start at the top and work your way down. Check your scalp, behind your ears, your back, and even between your toes. Use a hand mirror for the tricky spots you can’t easily see.
What You’re Looking For
The easiest way to remember what you’re looking for is to learn the ABCDEs of skin cancer. This is like your cheat sheet:
• A is for Asymmetry. One side of the mole doesn’t match the other.
• B is for Border. Look for edges that are uneven, jagged, or blurred.
• C is for Color. Watch for moles with multiple colors, ones that are extremely dark, or unusual shades like red, white, or blue.
• D is for Diameter. Anything bigger than a pencil eraser? Get it checked.
• E is for Evolution. That’s any change in size, shape, or color.
If a mole or spot checks any of those boxes, it’s worth keeping an eye on—or better yet, showing it to your dermatologist.
The Most Common Types and Areas for Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
• The most common type of skin cancer — and the least dangerous if caught early.
• Shows up as a pearly bump, a pink patch, or a sore that won’t heal.
• Usually caused by long-term sun exposure.
• Grows slowly and rarely spreads, but can become disfiguring if ignored.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
• The second most common skin cancer.
• Can look like a scaly red patch, a rough bump, or an open sore.
• Tends to show up on sun-exposed areas but can also form in scars or wounds.
• Can spread if not treated — so don’t wait on this one.
Melanoma
• The most serious and potentially deadly type.
• Can look like a new mole or a change in an existing one.
• It can spread quickly to other parts of the body.
• Early detection is everything — get suspicious spots checked ASAP.
Most people are surprised to learn that the most common location for melanoma in females is the legs! (It’s upper trunk/back in men.) So pay extra close attention to spots on your legs and don’t forget to apply sunscreen to exposed legs every time your wear shorts and spend time in the sun, not just when you’re in a bathing suit. (Moms, think sitting at your kids sporting events/outdoor activities!)
And here’s the thing: If you find something concerning, don’t panic. Just make an appointment with your dermatologist. Actually, if you’re 18 or older, you should start scheduling appointments once a year—especially if you’ve had a lot of sun exposure, a history of sun burns, or if skin cancer runs in your family. A dermatologist can catch things you might miss during your self-checks and they’ll give you peace of mind.
Other common spots for abnormal spots are the face and scalp so be sure to have your hairdresser or dermatologist check under your hair as best they can.
Factors That Increase Your Risk
Sun exposure is obviously the biggest one, so if you’re a millennial or Gen Xer who hit the beds before homecoming or prom, start your skin checks today, but it’s not the only thing that can increase your likelihood. Here’s the full list:
• Too much sun exposure — especially without sunscreen or protective clothing.
• History of sunburns — even just one blistering sunburn in childhood can increase your risk.
• Tanning beds — these are a huge red flag for skin cancer risk.
• Fair skin, light eyes, light hair — less natural protection against UV damage.
• Lots of moles or unusual moles — more spots = more to monitor.
• Family history of skin cancer — genetics can play a big role.
• Weakened immune system — certain conditions or medications can increase risk.
• Living in sunny or high-altitude climates — more UV exposure year-round, especially where it’s cooler, which can make sunscreen an afterthought. (Canada, Utah,
• Age — risk goes up as you get older, though skin cancer can happen at any age.
Prevention is Key
No matter your genetic if you’re 18 or 68, preventing further sun damage is key. Apply two finger lengths of sunscreen to your face (and any areas of skin not protected by clothing) every single day—yes, even in winter or overcast conditions. And don’t forget the spots that are commonly missed: the eye area, your neck, your chest, and the backs of your hands. Also, for the moms out there, cover those kiddos if they’re going to be outside more than 15 minutes, even when they protest. It’s just another thing they won’t thank you for until they’re adults.
When you’re outside for extended periods of time, like the at the pool, beach, even kid’s sporting events or park dates, reapply every 2 hours for efficient protection.
Now that you’ve reached the end of your crash course on skin checks, we would like to officially welcome you to the No Sun Club! If you found this information helpful, please share it with someone you love. Let’s keep this conversation going and protect our skin together!
