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Body Mole Map

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Skin cancer can develop anyw here on the skin. Ask someone for help w hen checking you r skin, especially i n hard to see places.If you notice a mole that is different from others, or that changes, itches or bleeds (even if it is small), you should see a dermatologist.

2009 American Academy of Dermatology

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2 The ABCDEs of Melanoma

Follow these instructions regularly for a thorough skin-exam:1. Examine your skin, 2. Know your spots, 3. Record yourspots so you can refer back during your next exam!

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E XA M P LE :

A s y m m e t r y A

B o r d e r B

C o lo r

C D i a m e t e r

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DOne half unlike theother half.Irregular, scallopedor poorly definedborder.

Varied from one areato anoth er; shades oftan and brown, black;sometimes white, redor blue.

While m elanomas areusually greater than6mm (the size of apencil eraser) whendiagnosed, they canbe smaller.

E v o l v i n g E A mo le or skin lesion

that looks differentfrom th e rest oris changing i n size,shape or color.

M OLE #Asymmetrical?Shape of M ole

Type of Border? Color of mo leDiameter/Size ofMol e. Use rulerprovided.

How has molechanged?

How to check your spots:Checking yo ur skin means taking no te of allthe spots on your body, from moles to frecklesto age spots. Remember, some m oles areblack, red, or even bl ue. If you see any kind ofchange on one of your spots, you should havea dermatologist check it out.

1 Examine body frontand back in mirror,then right and leftsides, arms raised.

2 Bend elbows,look carefully atforearms, b ackof upper arms,and palms.

3 Look at backs oflegs and feet,spaces betweentoes, and soles.

4Examine back ofneck and scalpwith a hand mi rror.Part hair and li ft.

5 Finall y, check backand buttocks with ahand mirror.

Skin CancerSelf-Examination1

A DB EC

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Be Sun Smart SM :Protect Yourself From the Sun

Here's how to Be Sun Smart SM:

Am erican Academy of Derm atology

1-888-462-DERM (3376)www.aad.org

If you have any doubt about a m ole, find a dermatologist at www.aad .o rg . The five-year survival rate for people w hosemel anom a is detected and treated befor e it spreads to the lym ph no des is 99%, so be sure to check your skin regu larly.

Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers, includingmelanoma. You can have fun in the sun and decrease your risk of skin cancer.

Generously apply a broad-spectrum , w ater-resistant

sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at l east 30 ormo re to all exposed skin. Broad-spectrum provides protectionfrom both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Re-applyapproxim ately every tw o hou rs, even on cloudy days, and afterswimm ing or sweating.

Wear protective clothing, such as a lon g-sleeved shirt, pants,a w ide-brimm ed hat, and sunglasses, wh ere possible.

Seek shade wh en appropriate. Remember that t he sun's rays arestrongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your shadow appears to beshorter th an you are, seek shade.

Protect children from sun exposure. Be sure to play i n the shade,use protective clothing, and apply sunscreen.

Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand because they

reflect and i ntensify the damagin g rays of t he sun, whi ch canincrease your chances of sunburn.

Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that may includevitami n supplem ents. Don't seek the sun.

Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanningbeds can cause skin cancer and w rinkling. If you want to looklike you' ve been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning

product, but continu e to use sunscreen wit h it. Check your birthday suit on your birthday. If you notice

anything changing, growi ng or b leeding on you r skin, see adermatologist. Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.

Check the Academy's Web site for the latest list of sun-protective productsthat meet the stringent criteria of t he AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITION .