Your skin is the largest organ on your body, and keeping it healthy requires regular attention. While scheduling your annual professional evaluation is a critical step, what you do at home between visits plays an equally vital role in protecting yourself from skin cancer.
At Dermatology Associates of Central NJ, Dr. Santiago Centurion and our team of specialists help patients across Old Bridge, Freehold, Union, and Tom's River, New Jersey, stay ahead of potential concerns. By learning how to perform a thorough skin self-examination, you can catch unusual changes early when they are easiest to treat.
Skin malignancies are incredibly common, but finding them early dramatically changes your outlook. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD, 2026), approximately 9,500 people in the United States receive a skin cancer diagnosis every single day.
Fortunately, catching these issues in their infancy makes a massive difference. Research published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI, 2024) shows that patients diagnosed with early-stage melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, experience an encouraging five-year survival rate of 94 percent.
Checking your own skin is a simple habit that only takes a few minutes once a month. The best time to do this is right after a shower in a well-lit room.
The American Cancer Society (ACS, 2024) recommends using both a full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror to carefully inspect hard-to-see areas like your back, buttocks, and scalp. You should examine your body from head to toe, including your underarms, palms, soles of your feet, and even between your toes.
During your exam, you want to look for any new spots, sores that do not heal, or existing moles that have changed in size, shape, or color. If you notice a spot that looks different from the others, or if you need a suspicious mole removal, it's time to have a professional take a look.
Many people believe they don't need to worry about self-exams if they have darker skin. However, no one is completely immune to skin malignancies regardless of their natural skin tone.
In fact, survival rates are often lower for people of color because their skin concerns are frequently diagnosed at later, more advanced stages. Checking your skin regularly is essential for everyone, and making sun safety a daily habit will help lower your baseline risk.
Taking a proactive approach to your skin health is one of the best things you can do for your long-term well-being. If you find a new or changing spot during your monthly self-exam, don't wait for your next annual checkup.
Please contact our team today to schedule an appointment at one of our convenient locations in Old Bridge, Freehold, Union, or Tom's River, New Jersey.
